






.. ^ - 0 %■ 
MmS* V 0 V °' O 

^ 4, ► 

>5* A v * - 

: v^ v • 

% 





v *P ^ • 

I 1 * AP <* <J> * O N 0 9 

o r O 


. A' V 


L° CV ♦ 

% ^‘P • 

• A^*V *. 
‘ y n* ■> 




* /? <J V 

* V 

O, *'T7?‘\A <, .G* * 

>0 V o 0 " ° * o • L 1 * Jf 0 v r, 0 " 0 /» 

0 • o A* ± K **>sr??-su. + 'aL G • c-<^ - <“ 

/ s Vn * J&n///sz2-. - 




« / i 


• o 



’v^g 


*1 /-v J rf* > 

V. * e * ° w & 
jy s *> v 

: v\ v * 


>. ^ ^ ^ r. ^ ^ /- 




A ^ : 

* 4? • 

4 <V 


a \* <a **'«•** a g> "p, *'T r *T*' A 

A . 1 ' * * ^ or c ° w ® -» *^o . t • « 

* &/!???? " rr G •rS5$W , ‘ O <A * 






O rn K 


•w M 


'..s 


O " O 



A <> 

4 A , t • 6 <P. 

• o 

• Or ♦ 



^ ^ vsii^iy * $ *+ * 

^ * 0 * 0 ° ^ * * 1 1 * A° %* 

> v • «••* c\. <<y ,»v^ *> 

;£mm\ v^ 


vA 


A</\ 


: .* V 'V. 


* A 'o'*'*' 4 ,0 



*• °o jA t 

* *N ♦ 

* "*0 & 


,<■> ^ r , : 

* «? °»S* 

♦ <S £> ’ « ^- V * 

. o * * * .0* \2> ♦* 

0 ^ 6 0 " 0 ♦ * 0 
-jr 0 • oS^vVv.r . O 

* "W • 

» 4 ° 

3 kV ^ 


c\ *9 V* 




A" 4 


Aa\ 


A °,Y/MW<' a!?*' 'Vk . 


: ^ <b s • 

o ; 


o <u 

► .CVt «i 


* << 






.* ■ ** *<► 

w* % 

‘o V^ l£mi&rl-- \ 


'+ + 


& o N 0 ° 


o ^5 ^ 

• ^ °o 

V> ’ * ' 1 ' A 

v> V ***°- cv <? v * 

* ^ A*' ^ <b^ *' 


N * A° ^ 

* 9 ^ * 


► «£*' J p 

y * * 

V 


) V o w o * 

o ^ * . O 


o *V*. o 

,* A % ^C» 

O. 1, ''?'.‘s s V A <v 'o . » 

V A ^ , t • a <$> 

» »*. ^ +L r$ 


4 ^ ' 


0 ^ c 0 w 0 ♦ ^o 


o V 


^0 


A 0 ^ « 

V ^L* jv 


v * •< ’ • 


’ n- 1 <#-_ ■> 


> > J ■ 
& * 
^ V 


'. /- 


°<u * *"' f° 

A 0 .' 5 


o ^ & , 


O 

^ •, 



0 V G 


%><? . 

• A V ^ o 

,* A ^ *y* 

A <* *<> 

* O 4$> • »• • a 4 ^6 

+ o A' i.'^yrfshu ■* 

«P 4 N * J&rf [//??' _ Ta 

• o > 


* 0 V ^o, ^T^T* ' -A 

o " o ^ 


X° v\ 












LAST CHANCE MINE 


OR 

Dale Wrightman’s Pluck 


BY 

LIEUT. JAMES K. ORTON 

Author of “Beach Boy Joe,” “The Secret Chart,” etc. 



NEW YORK AND LONDON 
STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS 



THE LIBRARY OF 
CONGRESS, 
Two Copieb Received 

JUL. Ill 1902 

Copyright entry 

Cl.ASS ^LxXo. No. 

•3/V3& 

COPY 8. 


Copyright, 1902 
By STREET & SMITH 

Last Chance Mine 


< 

< < 

<• C 
< c C 


< 4 < 

<<: 
< c 
c c 


< < 

< < l 

« c 

< < c 


C < C ( ( ( l( 

C C < < 

t L t i C < 

< l t < 

C ( < C ( < 





C< (( 
c t c 
C ( c < 


‘ < C . I 


CONTENTS 


Chapter Page 

I. — The Discovery 5 

II. — On the Trail 13 

III. — More Trouble 21 

IV. — Bruneau Valley 29 

V. — A Dangerous Situation . . . .37 

VI. — The Enemy’s Camp .... 45 

VII. — Besieged 53 

VIII.— Hand-to-Hand 61 

IX. — An Errand of Mercy . . . .69 

X. — A Prisoner 77 

XI.— With the Greasers 85 

XII.— Espinosa 93 

XIII. — A Night Attack 101 

XIV. — In Retreat 109 

XV.— Howland's 117 

XVI. — A Rescue 125 

XVII. — Nina’s Message 133 

XVIII.— The Encampment . . . . 141 

XIX. — The Old Mine 149 

XX. — The Duel 157 

XXI. — A Knife-thrust 165 


CONTENTS . 


ii 

Chapter 

XXII.— Id Hiding 
XXIII.— At Bay 

XXIV.— For Liberty 

XXV.— Dale’s Brave Fight 

XXVI.— Baffled 
XXVII.— Justice . 
XXVIII.— A Flight . 

XXIX. — A Fortunate Catch 

XXX.— The Morey Ranch 

XXXI.— A Bargain . 
XXXII.— One Year Later 


Page 

173 
. i8r 
189 

. 197 

205 
. 213 
221 
. 229 
237 
• 245 
• 253 


LAST CHANCE MINE 


CHAPTER I. 

THE DISCOVERY. 

“Yes, Dale, I have struck it at last! Two years of 
hard work with never a sign of color, and then, suddenly, 
when least expecting it, what must prove the richest mine 
in New Mexico looms up before me.” 

“And it really is a fact? No mistake this time?” 
Dale Wrightman cried, as he seized his father’s out- 
stretched hands. 

“No, my boy ; I didn’t trust to surface indications alone, 
but tested the vein thoroughly before leaving. Besides, it 
has been worked before; I simply found an abandoned 
mine.” 

“Silver?” 

“Of course, one can’t expect to find much gold in this 
section of the Territory.” 

“When shall you enter it up?” 

“As soon as you give me a bite to eat. I have traveled 
four days and nights almost without stopping, and need 
a little something in the way of refreshment.” 

“You shall have the best, and all there is in the shanty,” 
Dale cried, as he kindled a fire in the rude inclosure of 
stones which served as a stove. “The larder isn’t any 


6 


The Discovery. 

too well filled, for I’ve had bad luck at money earning 
since you went away, and the food has run low/' 

“Never mind, my boy, we are rich now — rich beyond 
anything you ever dreamed of, and want will not be 
known again so far as you and I are concerned." 

“Suppose some one else should discover the mine while 
you are away?" 

“I’m not afraid of that," Mr. Wrightman replied, with 
a hearty laugh, which denoted satisfaction as well as a 
sense of security. “I’d been among the foothills for two 
months without seeing color, and had just begun to realize 
that it would be necessary to come back to Silver City 
empty-handed, as I have done so many times before. 
There was one side of bacon left, and I said to myself it 
should stand me for the last chance. Then if I failed, it 
would be a question of going hungry till I could get back. 
In a place where a sane prospector would never think of 
looking for surface indications, I found the richest vein 
that has ever been seen in these parts, with shaft sunk 
and tunnel running along the streak. It will remain hid- 
den a long while yet, unless some one as desperate as I 
was noses around the spur." 

“Then you did go hungry after all," Dale said, as he 
filled the frying pan with slices of bacon. 

“Yes, indeed; but it makes a pile of difference whether 
a man does without food immediately after failure or 
after marvelous success. A glimpse of that vein was 
enough to satisfy me, providing I drew my belt tightly." 

“And you are certain no one knows of the discovery ?" 

“That I can't say, unfortunately. I fell in with a 


7 


The Discovery. 

Greaser coming home, and it strikes me he had suspicions. 
He has kept precious close all the time, and to throw him 
off the scent I struck in here, instead of making things 
certain by entering the claim at once.” 

“Has he any idea of where you came from?” 

“No; I was sharp enough for that, despite all his ques- 
tions. As a matter of course he knows the general direc- 
tion ; but whether I had traveled one day or twenty when 
I met him, he hasn’t an idea.” 

“Do you suppose he’s fool enough to think he can dis- 
cover the secret?” 

“He’s probably counting on finding out when I enter 
up ; but I’ve got an idea he won’t succeed so easily.” 

“Have you named the mine, father ?” 

“Yes ; it’s to be called the Last Chance, for that is ex- 
actly what it was. If I had failed when nothing but the 
one side of bacon remained, I’d have given up prospect- 
ing, and gone East again as soon as we scraped enough 
money together to pay for the railroad tickets.” 

“Well, here’s to the Last Chance!” Dale cried, as he 
filled two tin cups with coffee, and his father drank the 
toast eagerly. 

Nearly three years previous to the discovery of the 
mine referred to, Owen Wrightman and his son Dale ar- 
rived in Silver City, expecting to make a fortune in a 
short time, for the town, which sprang up as if by magic, 
was then in the height of its prosperity. 

Dale’s mother had died a few months before, and his 
father, in addition to the expectation of finding the pre- 


8 


The Discovery. 

cious metals, desired a thorough change in the hope it 
would enable him to forget his great loss. 

Mr. Wrightman had been particularly unfortunate. 
The small amount of money he brought with him was 
soon spent, and the only means for continuing the work 
of prospecting was gained by such amounts as he or 
Dale could earn by working for others. 

The journey which had resulted in the discovery of 
the Last Chance had been undertaken when both father 
and son were utterly discouraged, and, as Mr. Wright- 
man had said, if it proved a failure, both would have left 
Silver City with the one desire to be among friends once 
more. 

Ephraim Minot, a good-natured, but not particularly 
brilliant fellow who formerly worked as gardener in the 
Wrightman home at the East, accompanied* his old em- 
ployer to the land where it was believed fortunes could be 
made so easily; but during nearly a year he had been 
laboring in one of the mines, and more than once did he 
insist on loaning Dale or his father small sums of money 
to enable them to eke out a scanty subsistence. 

“Now Eph shall come back to us,” Mr. Wrightman 
said, as he made a vigorous onslaught upon the provi- 
sions Dale set before him. “We can afford to pay him 
good wages, and the honest fellow must share in our 
fortunes.” 

“He deserves that and a great deal more, for there have 
been many times when we would have gone hungry but 
for him.” 

“He shan’t be forgotten. I’ll hunt him up when I go 


9 


The Discovery. 

to the register’s office, and send him here. Be careful not 
to give him any idea of where the Last Chance is located, 
for there is no necessity of telling a single person until 
everything is arranged.” 

Dale laughed heartily. 

“I reckon you can trust me, father, inasmuch as I don’t 
know even the location of that famous place.” 

“I forgot you hadn’t been told; but it’s just as well. 
You shall see for yourself before a week goes by, and if 
you are in ignorance regarding it, there is no chance any 
one can worm the secret out of you by questioning you.” 

“I’m perfectly willing to wait.” 

By this time the bacon had been eaten, and Mr. Wright- 
man said, as he rose to his feet : 

“It is time for me to attend to business, providing I can 
shake that Greaser. Stay here till I come back, and then 
we’ll lay plans for getting to the Last Chance in the short- 
est possible space of time.” 

The happy prospector left the dwelling, which was little 
better than a shanty, and his son, overjoyed by the knowl- 
edge that the long fight with poverty was ended at last, 
set about making the interior look more inviting. 

Now that his father had gone, Dale thought of a great 
many questions he wished to ask relative to the newly- 
discovered mine ; but he contented himself with the 
thought that in a short time he would know everything 
regarding this particular deposit of precious metal which 
was to make them both wealthy. 

An hour passed and yet Mr. Wrightman did not return. 

“Most likely he’s trying to shake the Greaser, and don’t 


10 


The Discovery. 

have very good luck,” Dale said to himself, as he looked 
toward the odd town, with its canvas tents or rough 
shanties of hewn boards. 

The afternoon lengthened into evening, and yet the 
prospector was absent. 

Dale’s orders had been to remain at home, and he 
obeyed literally, instead of seeking his father in the set- 
tlement as he would have done under other circumstances. 

When night had fully come Dale was alarmed. 

Save in one or two exceptional cases, Mr. Wrightman 
had never remained away so late, and the boy became 
exceedingly nervous. 

It was nine o’clock in the evening when he heard the 
sound of footsteps near the shanty, and, rushing out in 
the belief that his father had returned, Dale saw Ephraim 
Minot approaching slowly. 

“Oh, it’s you, Eph. I hoped it was father. Have you 
heard the news ?” 

“Who’s been here?” Eph asked, as if in alarm. “I 
have come the fastest I knew how, an’ thought to strike 
you before the others could.” 

“What others ? Father got back this forenoon, and is 
up at the register’s office, I reckon.” 

“He isn’t there now ; but he’s coming back.” 

Dale failed to observe the tone in which this was said. 

“Has he told you of the Last Chance ?” 

“What do you mean ?” 

“He has struck it rich this time, for a fact, and we 
won’t have to jump around any more to earn two or three 
dollars a day.” 


II 


The Discovery. 

“Had he struck a vein ?” 

“Yes, Eph, and we are to leave here just as soon as he 
can get ready.” 

“Did he go away alone?” Eph asked, solemnly. 

“When do you mean ?” 

“After coming back and telling you the news, did he 
leave the shanty alone?” 

“Yes, there was a Greaser somewhere around, and he 
wanted to shake him.” 

“Then it’s one of them rascals who has done this !” 

“What do you mean, Eph?” and now Dale began to 
grow alarmed at the expression on his companion’s face. 

“Dale, my lad, you must brace up. Remember that 
what’s done couldn’t have been helped, an’ you’ve got to 
bear it.” 

“Tell me what has happened !” and the boy seized the 
man by the arm as if to force the information from his 
unwilling lips. 

“Your father has been hurt, Dale, an’ there come them 
who are bringing him home,” Eph replied, as he pointed 
toward a group of men who were now within a few yards 
of the shanty. 

Dale did not stop to ask any more questions. i 

Running forward swiftly, he would have pressed his 
way past the bearers of that ominous-looking burden, but 
that one, more soft-hearted than the others, held him 
back. 

“Wait a while, lad. Stop till you’ve had time to think 
it over a bit, an’ remember that we’ll stand by you to the 
last.” 


12 


The Discovery. 


“Is — is — is he badly hurt?” Dale cried, not daring to 
put into words the fear which had come into his mind. 

“A knife though his back, my poor lad, an’ if we don’t 
swing the villain who did it, it’ll be that he has got well 
out of this part of the country.” 

Dale could no longer be restrained; but, forcing his 
way past the friendly hands which would have kept him 
back, lifted the covering which hid his father’s face from 
view. 

Without a word he walked by the side of his murdered 
parent until the lifeless body was laid on the floor of the 
shanty, and then, with dry eyes and firmly-compressed 
lips, he began the last vigil beside the mangled remains. 


CHAPTER II. 


ON THE TRAIL. 

In the exciting race for wealth, such as is seen at a 
mining camp, but little time can be devoted to the dead. 

The taking of a human life is not of such a rare occur- 
rence that it causes more than a ripple among those who 
live with weapons in their hands, and there was no ex- 
ception in the case of Mr. Wrightman. 

During the night following his murder, bodies of armed 
men scoured the town without finding any one on whom 
the crime could be fastened, and then it was time to close 
the page of the tragedy. 

Dale watched by his father’s side, silent and motionless 
during the hours of darkness, not speaking even to the 
faithful Eph, and then came a messenger to say that the 
funeral would be held at ten o’clock. 

The boy had two hours longer with his dead; but he 
did not spend the time in mourning, however deep may 
have been his grief. 

“Eph,” he said, slowly, as he held one of the lifeless 
hands in his, “it is for me to deal out justice to the 
wretch who has killed, without cause, the best man who 
ever lived. Will you help me?” 

“That I will, lad; but I’m afraid it’ll be a wild goose 
chase.” 


H 


On tlie Trail. 


“I know he must be found some day, that comes to me 
like a fact, and then, instead of being killed from behind, 
the villain shall see death approaching slowly. I swear 
I shall never rest until the hand which struck the cruel 
blow is as lifeless as this. It shall be my life work, and 
only when it is accomplished can I think of anything 
else.” 

“If it’s revenge you’re after, lad, count me in. Owen 
Wrightman was always a good friend to me, an’ I’m 
ready to stick by you so long as there’s a breath left in my 
body.” 

For reply, the boy joined hands with the faithful ser- 
vant, and then asked to be left alone with his dead. 

Until the miners began to gather, Dale remained in the 
shanty with his father’s body, and then, at a word from 
Eph, he came forth. 

The kindly-hearted men had brought a rude coffin, and 
when Dale emerged they prepared the body for burial. 

It was a ceremony lacking all which one is accustomed 
to see at such times. 

A few words spoken in praise of him who was thus 
consigned to the dust, the falling of clods on the coffin, 
and the prospector was left alone within a gunshot of the 
bustling city of canvas. 

Before dispersing, one of the party, who had acted as 
master of ceremonies at the grave, said to Dale, as he ex- 
tended a buckskin bag filled almost to bursting: 

“We understand how tough it is on you, lad, an’ know 
there’s nothin’ to be said that’ll make you feel easier in 
mind. But them as is livin’ must think of themselves, 


On the Trail. 


*5 

an* we don’t allow to let Owen Wrightman’s son go 
empty-handed. The boys kinder took up a collection last 
night, an’ here’s the outcome of it. What are you 
thinkin’ of doin’?” 

“I shall find the villain who murdered my father, and 
when he has paid the penalty of his crime, then I’ll decide 
what is to become of me.” 

“Good for you !” half a dozen cried, approvingly. 
“Now you’re talkin’ like a man, an’ all we ask is a chance 
to jine the party when you get ready to settle accounts.” 

No reply that Dale could have made would have 
pleased his hearers better, for the law of the miners is “an 
eye for an eye,” and the men gathered around him with 
offers of assistance. 

“You have given me more than enough for an outfit,” 
Dale replied, “and it is all I need now. When the time 
comes that I have the scoundrel in my power, you shall, 
if possible, see that full justice is done; but till then I 
shall most likely remain very far from here.” 

“Have you got any clew?” one asked, eagerly. 

“Father came home yesterday, and told me he had 
found a very rich vein, which he intended to enter up as 
soon as he could get rid of a Greaser who was following 
him to learn the location of the claim.” 

“He didn’t go to the register’s office, ’cause it was shut 
up yesterday while a lot of the boys was helpin’ a couple 
of hoss thieves dance on a rope.” 

“I believe the Greaser did the bloody work.” 

“Did you see him ?” 


1 6 On the Trail. 

‘‘No; but it seems that I must recognize him if we 
meet.” 

“Where was the vein he found ?” 

“I don’t know ; he hadn’t told me, but it took him four 
days and nights to get back.” 

“He started for the foothills around Rock Creek,” one 
of the party said. “That’s where he told me he was 
goin’ the day he left, an’ they’re jest about that distance 
off.” 

“Who’s seen a strange Greaser ’round here?” another 
asked. 

“Joe Sellers traded his pony to one last night, an’ I 
reckon he’s your man, Dale. You can find out which way 
he went, an’ all that’s left is to ride him down.” 

“Eph an’ I’ll leave within an hour. We must pick up 
an outfit.” 

“Go to the Palace. Jake Myers shall rig both of you 
up in great style, or he’ll never sell another bottle of liquor 
to this crowd.” 

Dale knew this offer was made in good faith, and that 
the men would take offense if it were not accepted. 

“I thank you,” he said, in a low, but firm tone. “We 
will go there at once, and the shanty can be used by any 
one. I’d like to have it standing when I get back.” 

“Don’t fret about that, lad,” the spokesman replied. 
“I’ll move into it to-night, an’ turn out ag’in the minute 
you’re through with the job. Bring the Greaser back if 
you can, for the boys feel as if they had a right to help 
settle matters.” 

Dale did not delay longer. 


On the Trail. 


17 

He was eager to begin the work of vengeance, and to 
insure its success it was necessary he should start while 
the trail was “hot.” 

At the barroom dignified with the name of “The 
Palace,” he found the proprietor, Jake Myers, who was 
more than willing to do all that lay in his power toward 
bringing the murderer to justice. 

“Your father never spent any money here, Dale,” he 
said, “an’ that showed his good sense. He was my friend, 
an’ anything I’ve got is yours. I’ll send for a couple of 
ponies, an’ the boys will get together an outfit to last a 
month or so. You’ll need a pack mule, I reckon ?” 

“No; we must travel as light as possible. Eph and I 
have both got good rifles, and if we can’t find game, it’ll 
only be a question of going hungry. How much shall I 
pay you for the ponies, Mr. Myers?” 

“Not a cent, an’ I only wish there was more I could 
do.” 

An hour later Dale and Eph were mounted ready for 
the hunt which it was hoped would end in the taking of a 
villain’s life. 

They had two of Myers’ best ponies, good saddles and 
blankets, and each carried in front of him such an amount 
of provisions as Dale was willing to burden himself with. 

“Keep straight on to Rock Creek if you don’t find the 
Greaser nearer,” the landlord said. “That’s where your 
father was bound for when he last left, an’ it may turn out 
that you’ll strike the vein he’d found.” 

“I am not counting on that. It will be enough to see 
justice done,” Dale replied, gravely. 


i8 


On the Trail, 


“That’s all very well, my lad ; but money is bound to 
come in handy, an’ your father would have it that way if 
he could.” 

Then the kindly-hearted, but rough-looking men 
crowded around the travelers, insisting on shaking each 
by the hand, and when the two rode out of Silver City 
they were accompanied by the good wishes of all those 
left behind. 

“Do you know the trail?” Eph asked, when they were 
a short distance beyond the mining town. 

“I’ve been down to Bruneau Valley, and there is where 
we may get some news of the man we are hunting for.” 

“Then you allow it was the same fellow who started 
last night?” 

“That is the only clew we’ve got. I’m certain the 
murderer was the Greaser father spoke of, and the one 
who left yesterday must be he.” 

“It’s a blind trail,” Eph said, with a sigh, “an’ I’m 
afraid it’ll be a long day before we see the end of it.” 

“If we do finally succeed, I don’t care how many weeks 
or months we spend,” Dale replied, emphatically. 

During the next hour the two rode on at rather more 
than moderate speed, and then they drew rein alongside 
a wagon train which was proceeding in the same 
direction. 

“Have you come from Silver City?” Dale asked of the 
leader. 

“Left there yesterday mornin’, an’ broke down five 
miles out, so we’re makin’ it kinder slow.” 

“Have you seen a Greaser on a spotted pony?” 


On the Trail. 


19 


“One camped with us last night.” 

“Where did he hail from?” 

“The city. Seemed to be in a hurry, an’ pushed ahead 
before sunrise.” 

“Which way did he go?” 

“I allowed he was headin’ for Bruneau Valley, though 
nothin’ was said about it. Been stealin’ hosses?” 

“Some one murdered my father, Owen Wrightman, 
last night, and I believe it was a Greaser.” 

“Then he’s your man, an’ I only wish I could jine you 
in the ride, for Owen was a partic’lar friend of mine. 
Poor feller! how was it done?” 

Dale huriedly gave him the details of the crime so far 
as known, and the driver said half to himself : 

“A knife in the back, eh? That’s a reg’lar Mexican 
trick. Keep after him, my boy, an’ if you don’t pick up 
the trail before, you’ll find it at the valley. Can I do 
anything to help you along?” 

“No; but I thank you for the desire. Come, Eph, we 
must ride hard and long now,” Dale said, as he struck the 
spurs to his pony, and soon the wagon train was left 
far behind. 

Not until late in the evening did the two draw rein, 
and then they were forced to do so because the horses 
were completely winded. 

A camp in the open air with nothing to shelter them, 
save the blankets, was not thought a hardship. 

Eph prepared supper, but Dale could not eat. 

Even the thought of food was distasteful, and the boy, 


20 


On the Trail. 


after caring for his pony, lay down on the ground with 
but one thought in his mind — that of vengeance. 

On the regular trail as they were, there was no reason 
why a watch should be kept, and Eph was soon wrapped 
in slumber; but Dale could not compose himself. 

Grief rendered him wakeful, and after trying in vain 
to close his eyes in sleep, he rose to his feet, pacing to 
and fro by the side of his companion. 

The night was more than half spent when Eph was 
awakened by a vigorous shaking, and, looking up sleepily, 
saw Dale bending over him. 

“Get up quickly 1” the boy cried. “There’s mischief of 
some kind being done near us. That light comes from 
the direction of a ranch I once visited with father!” and 
he pointed tovfard the south, where the heavens were 
aglow. 

“Is it a fire ?” Eph asked, as he rose slowly to his feet. 

“Yes, and it stands us in hand to know what is going 
on. Saddle and follow me !” 


CHAPTER III. 


MORE TROUBLE. 

The ranch to which Dale referred was about three 
miles off the direct trail leading to Bruneau Valley, 
toward the south, and owned by a stockman from Colo- 
rado, who had taken up and purchased a large quantity of 
land in the vicinity. 

At the time Dale stopped at the ranch the owner and 
his family were absent on a visit East, therefore he saw 
only the overseer; but that gentleman proved to be so 
hospitable that he had often looked forward to a second 
visit. 

When he and Eph were in the saddle, riding as rapidly 
as their jaded horses would permit, Dale began to think 
he had been too hasty in taking alarm. 

The conflagration might mean nothing serious. A 
clump of trees, an outbuilding or something of the kind, 
would have made quite as much of a blaze, but Dale was 
in that frame of mind when everything seems to betoken 
deadly danger. 

After having ridden a couple of miles, however, there 
was no chance for doubt but that the flames had been 
kindled for a fiendish purpose. 

The sound of firearms could be heard faintly in the 
distance, telling that some one was fighting for life, and 


22 More Trouble. 

Dale cried, as he spurred the tired pony to yet greater 
exertions : 

“We must get there soon, or be too late ! Ride the best 
you know how, Eph.” 

“That won’t be very fast, lad. This pony was about 
played out when we made camp, an’ he don’t seem able 
to go more than three miles an hour. What do you 
allow is the trouble ?” 

“I can’t so much as fancy. There’s no chance of In- 
dians around here, and ” 

“There’s been a reg’lar mob of Greasers hangin’ about 
this section of the country for the last month, so I’ve 
heard say.” 

“Perhaps the one we’re hunting for has found a gang, 
but I hope not.” 

“Why?” 

“Because we have no description of our game, and 
only by running him down singly can we hope to make 
sure of catching the right one.” 

“It’ll go hard with any of the breed that I find ridin’ a 
spotted pony.” 

There was no further opportunity for conversation. 

The two were now where the buildings of the ranch 
could be seen, or, at least, those which had as yet escaped 
the flames, and that a regular attack had been made there 
was no longer any question. 

Everything inflammable was food for the flames, and 
here and there the blaze brought into strong relief cer- 
tain ominous-looking masses of what had once been hu- 
man beings. 


More Trouble. 


23 

The fight was over before Dale and Eph came within 
sight of the place. 

The enemy had fled, or continued his march, and noth- 
ing could be seen of the former inmates, save those dark 
forms outlined against the sky. 

‘‘We’re too late!” Eph said, as he reined in his pony 
opposite one of the lifeless forms. “What puzzles me is 
how the thing happened. I didn’t s’pose a lot of Greasers 
would have the nerve to do anything like this so far from 
the line.” 

Dale paid no attention to what his companion said. 

He was gazing anxiously around in the hope of seeing 
alive some of the unfortunate inmates, and, failing in 
this, he shouted at the full strength of his lungs : 

“Hello ! We’re friends come to help you !” 

Twice was the cry repeated before any answer came, 
and then an old woman hobbled out from beneath a burn- 
ing shanty, the blood on her wrinkled face glaring vividly 
red in the glow of the flames. 

“Who are you?” she asked, in a trembling voice. 

“Friends, from Silver City. What has been done 
here ?” 

“Murder and worse! Why do you sit still when the 
child is in the power of those wretches, those human 
fiends ?” 

“You must tell us more, or we shall not be able to do 
anything. Who made this attack, and why?” 

“I believe they were a party of Mexicans ; they could 
have come only for plunder, and found Nina!” 

“Who is she?” 


24 


More Trouble. 


“The master’s daughter, and woe’s the day she stayed 
here with me instead of going with her parents !” 

It was a long while before Dale could get a complete 
story from the terrified woman, and when she did give 
any information it was in a disconnected form. 

The substance of it all was that two or three hours pre- 
viously the ranch had been attacked by a party of men 
dressed in Mexican costume, who had ridden in asking 
for lodging and food. 

Mr. Morey, the owner of the ranch, was on a visit East, 
with all his family save the eldest daughter, Nina, a girl 
seventeen years of age, who had remained behind. 

The strangers had hardly gained entrance to the in- 
closure, when they began shooting down the ranchmen 
and servants without warning, and nearly half the force 
had been killed before any concerted resistance was made. 

Then the defenders were so few in number, and taken 
at such a disadvantage, that the battle was of but short 
duration. 

The horses were driven off, stock stampeded, the build- 
ings fired, and then came the pillage of the house, during 
which the young girl was discovered. 

The leader of the party insisted on taking her prisoner, 
although some of his followers insisted she should share 
the fate of the others, and she was torn from the old 
woman’s arms despite the latter’s feeble resistance. 

A knife thrust which laid the servant’s cheek open to 
the bone told what she had done in defence of Nina, and 
the ruffians left her for dead on the ground. 

She had revived sufficiently to crawl under one of the 


More Trouble. 


25 


outbuildings, which was fired soon after, and, but for the 
arrival of Dale and Eph, she would probably have been 
burned to death. 

Although suffering severely, her only thought was of 
the girl who had been made prisoner by these human 
fiends, and many times before the sad story was finished 
did she beg Dale to go to Nina’s assistance. 

“That is exactly what we intend to do,” the boy replied, 
finally, looking toward Eph for some word of assurance 
that he would follow, and the latter replied: 

“It can’t be thought of till mornin’, lad. The ponies 
are so jaded now that it would be worse than foolish to 
think of overtakin’ the murderers. The only way is to 
start fresh by givin’ them a rest and plenty of feed.” 

“And in the meantime, what may become of the poor 
girl?” 

“Try not to think of that. We’re bound to stay here 
a while, if we expect to do anything ; but, in case you say 
go now, I’m off.” 

Dale knew that his companion had spoken only the 
truth. 

Hampered as the murderers were with the stolen 
animals, it was not likely they could travel very rapidly, 
and by waiting until the ponies were comparatively fresh 
there was every hope the marauding party might be 
overtaken before morning. 

“You are right,” he finally said. “Look out for the 
horses, and I’ll see if there are any more left alive.” 

“Stay here; you need rest as much as do the animals. 
I’ll attend to everything.” 


More Trouble. 


2 6 , 

The old woman was still imploring him to go at once 
in search of her darling, and Dale whispered : 

“How could any one rest with those pleadings sounding 
in his ears? Can’t you dress her wounds, while I care 
for the ponies ?” 

Eph undertook to do this, and Dale led the animals 
away where he could not hear the pleadings he was 
powerless at that moment to answer. 

A short search among the half-consumed buildings 
was sufficient to find grain, and, with a plentiful meal be- 
fore them, the ponies were picketed, while the boy con- 
tinued on around the ruined ranch. 

Near the entrance to the cattle corral Dale found a 
ranchman half-unconscious, whose life-blood was slowly 
welling from, a cruel wound in his breast. 

Dale’s first thought was to stanch the flow of the crim- 
son fluid ; but this work had hardly been begun when the 
sufferer said in a whisper so low that it was only with con- 
siderable difficulty his would-be nurse could hear the 
words : 

“There’s no use in that. They got me foul, an’ all the 
doctors in the world couldn’t help me now. Who are 
you?” 

Dale explained how he and Eph happened to be there, 
and concluded by saying : 

“We s-hall go in search of the girl Nina as soon as our 
horses are rested. Can you give me any description of 
the men who did this cruel thing?” 

“They are a gang of Greasers, about fifty strong, who 
have been campin’ a couple of miles from here for the 


More Trouble. 


27 


last three days. Their leader went up Silver City way, 
an’ got back an hour or so before the attack was made.” 

“Did you see him ?” 

“Only while the fight was goin’ on. He's a short fel- 
low, an’ rode a spotted pony. I noticed that he wore big 
gold rings in his ears.” 

It was necessary for Dale to exert all his will power to 
prevent an exclamation of joy as the man whom he be- 
lieved had murdered his father was thus described. He 
succeeded in restraining himself, however, for it was 
necessary he should hear all that could be told, and the 
sufferer was so near death that any interruption might 
have checked the story forever. 

“Did you see in what direction they went?” he asked, 
as the wounded man paused. 

“Toward the Valley. I reckon they’re makin’ their 
headquarters there for a while, as a crowd of ’em did last 
year.” 

“Have they taken any other prisoner than Nina?” 

“I saw two of the men tied on a pony, an’ shouldn’t be 
surprised to know that they’d got more. Count up the 
bodies here, an’ if you don’t find sixteen all told, then 
allow the balance are in the power of them devils. The 
men can stand it, for durin’ the past year we’ve been ex- 
pectin’ somethin’ of the kind, but for the poor women 
it’ll be worse than death.” 

“My friend and I will do all in our power to save 
them.” 

“I believe you, lad ; but two against that gang is odds 


28 


More Trouble. 


loo big to count much on. Look out for your own lives, 
which will be about all you can ’tend to.” 

*T believe the man who led the gang is the one who 
murdered my father in Silver City twenty-four hours ago, 
and I’d follow the villain if he had ten times the force,” 
Dale replied, emphatically. 

“Go ahead, my boy, you act as if you had sand; but 
don’t do anything rash. Look the ground well over be- 
fore you try to take a trick, for ” 

The advice was not finished. 

Death came to claim its prey, and Dale felt the hand 
he was holding grow cold with the chill of the grave. 


CHAPTER IV. 


BRUNEAU VALLEY. 

The most difficult task which Dale and Eph believed 
they should ever be confronted with was that of waiting 
at the devastated ranch while the lawless ruffians were 
carrying off their prisoners unmolested. 

The old woman would not or could not think there was 
any good reason why they should remain idle at such a 
time, and her constant prayers that they hasten at once in 
pursuit tried their nerves most severely. 

“We mustn’t listen to her,” Eph said, as he led Dale to 
the further end of the ranch. “It would be the rankest 
kind of folly to start until after the ponies are in some- 
thing like decent shape, an’ if you can’t sleep, there’s 
plenty to be done.” 

Dale knew to what his companion referred, and he said, 
readily : 

“We’ll go to work. It will be terrible; but the poor 
fellows must have some kind of a burial, and we are the 
only ones to do the work. Have you searched the entire 
grounds ?” 

“Every yard. The old woman, an’ the man you 
found, are the only ones that were left alive.” 

“How many bodies ?” 

“Counting the two we spoke of, there are eleven.” 


30 


Bruneau Valley. 


“I don’t suppose the man who just died reckoned on 
the old woman, so there must be four men prisoners in the 
ruffians’ hands.” 

“She says there were other female servants, and, as 
their bodies are not here, it stands to reason the gang 
have got them.” 

While they were speaking, Dale and Eph began the 
ghastly work of burying the dead, and the sun had just 
risen when the labor was finished. 

The ponies were now in reasonably good condition for 
the journey, and no time was lost in making the start. 

The woman seemed a trifle more composed now, and 
able to render some assistance to those who were going in 
search of her lost one. 

She found cooked food sufficient to provide them with 
a hearty meal, and Dale said, when they were finally 
ready to mount : 

“We intend to go to the Bruneau Valley. If any others 
come along who are willing to join the hunt, send them 
there.” 

“When shall I expect to see you back ?” 

“Not until we. have finished the work, either by bring- 
ing Miss Nina to you, or settling matters with the villain 
who led the gang.” 

Neither Dale nor Eph cared to prolong the conversa- 
tion with the nurse. Her lamentations, although not 
quite so loud as on the previous night, were distressing, 
and the two leaped into their saddles at the first oppor- 
tunity. 

“With such a large party we should be able to follow 


3i 


Bruneau Valley. 

the trail without any difficulty,” Dale said, as they rode 
around the ruined ranch toward the south, avoiding, as if 
by common consent, that spot of ground which they had 
converted into a graveyard. 

“Yes, an’ since they must move slow because of the 
animals an’ prisoners, we want to take good care not to 
get too nigh while it’s light. The worst thing that could 
happen would be for ’em to suspect what we are up to.” 

“There’s no danger of getting too near between now 
and noon, so ride at your best pace till then.” 

The broad trail was readily followed. 

The murderers had made no effort to hide the telltale 
evidences of their march^ and none save a blind man 
could have lost it. 

That the band had carried away a large amount of 
plunder could be told by the odds and ends which the 
pursuers came across from time to time. 

Fragments of wearing apparel, cast-off finery, bits of 
harness, and such articles as would naturally be found in 
a ranchman’s home were strewn along the trail in abun- 
dance. 

“They are in no hurry,” Dale said, as he examined the 
different things without drawing rein. “This shows that 
they have time to examine the plunder, and are throwing 
away what isn’t wanted.” 

Two hours later the pursuers arrived at the spot where 
the party had encamped for a short time. 

The fires were yet burning, and the odor of food was 
in the air, thus showing that the enemy could not be very 
far in advance. 


32 Bruneau Valley. 

At the place Dale alighted, and examined the ground 
thoroughly. 

A riding glove of chamois skin was found near where 
the horses had been tethered, and Dale picked it up almost 
reverentially. 

In addition to Miss Nina, there were probably three 
other female prisoners ; but he chose to believ : the glove 
had been dropped by her, and placed it carefully in his 
pocket without telling Eph of the find. 

The latter, after looking carefully around a few mo- 
ments, began to unsaddle, and Dale asked sharply : 

“What are you doing?” 

“Givin’ the pony a chance to rest. We should keep 
’em in the best possible condition.” 

“But we don’t intend to stop here?” 

“Why not?” 

“Because we must close up on the scoundrels.” 

“It strikes me that we’re near enough now. It won’t 
take half-an-hour to bring them in sight.” 

“Then all the more reason why we should keep on.” 

“I’m bound to do as you say,” Eph replied, solemnly; 
“but I want you to stop an’ think what the result’ll be if 
they see us.” 

“It will be an easy matter to keep out of sight when 
we’re within a mile or so. Think of that poor girl, and 
fancy what her sufferings must be !” 

“I’ll do that, an’ at the same time have some regard for 
myself. How much will you be able to help the girl 
when once them Greasers know we’re at their heels?” 


Bruneau Valley. 33 

‘Til be as prudent as you wish when we are nearer, 
but can’t consent to stopping yet a while.” 

“You may think different before this day is ended,” 
Eph muttered ; but he replaced the saddle and mounted, 
Dale saying, as he spurred the willing pony on : 

“I don’t count on being rash, and think we should close 
up on them a good bit while there’s time. How far ahead 
do you suppose they are ?” 

“That camp-fire was burnin’ bright half-an-hour ago, 
an’ I reckon thirty minutes of hard ridin’ would bring us 
into the whole nest.” 

Dale made no reply. He was beginning to think per- 
haps it would have been better had they remained a short 
time at the last halting place, but his desire to rescue 
Miss Nina and at the same moment avenge the murder 
of his father was so great that prudence was forgotten. 

During half-an-hour the two rode on at a rapid pace, 
and Dale was on the point of giving the word to stop, 
when from behind a rock forty or fifty yards ahead came 
a puff of smoke, and a bullet made its way through the 
brim of his hat. 

“Get down, lad !” Eph cried, as he threw himself from 
the saddle, holding the loop of the bridle on his arm. 

Dale had sprung to the ground before the words were 
spoken, and was behind his horse with his rifle ready for 
a shot the instant he caught a glimpse of the living target. 

Another puff of smoke, and a second bullet plowed a 
deep ridge in the boy’s saddle. 

“Get under cover!” Eph shouted, as he led his pony 


34 


Bruneau Valley. 


back to a clump of bushes. “You can’t do anything there 
while they’re behind the rock!” 

Dale caught a glimpse of a man’s head for an instant, 
and that was sufficient to send one of the murderous gang 
to his last account. 

In that State, where all are good marksmen and “quick 
on the trigger,” there was none who could excel “Owen 
Wrightman’s boy,” according to the evidence of his ac- 
quaintances, and this snap shot proved the correctness of 
the statement. “I’ve downed one of them, at any rate,” 
Dale said, in a tone of triumph, as he backed his pony 
toward the bushes. “I don’t reckon there’s more’n an- 
other, an’ he’ll be precious lucky to get away alive. I 
used to think I couldn’t draw bead on a man; but, after 
what has been done, I can’t look upon these fellows as any 
better than snakes.” 

“I’d rather chum with a decent rattler than a Greaser, 
any day,” Eph replied. “But it ain’t a question now of 
what we do or don’t like. If there’s another feller behind 
that rock it’s our business to see he don’t leave, otherwise 
the jig is up.” 

“If you’ll stay here, and shoot once in a while, so’s to 
keep him busy, I’ll crawl up to the right, and then it’s * 
pretty certain he’ll stay as long as we want him to.” 

“Go ahead, lad, but be careful of yourself. Them kind 
of cattle are up to more tricks than there are fleas on a 
dog.” 

“I’ll look out for anything of that kind. Give him a 
shot now, and I’ll start.” 


Bruneau Valley. 35 

Eph fired, and an instant later a puff of smoke told 
there was at least one living man behind the rock. 

“Keep him at that kind of work five minutes, and the 
business will be finished,” Dale said, as he made a long 
detour to the right, crawling on the ground when there 
was neither bush nor rock to afford him shelter. 

Eph discharged his rifle from time to time, but only 
once more did he provoke a reply, and then it was as if 
the man in hiding suspected his purpose. 

Meanwhile, Dale continued to advance steadily but 
slowly. 

He had time to realize that he should have followed 
Eph’s advice in regard to prolonging the halt at the en- 
campment, for nothing especial could be gained from this 
kind of warfare, but regrets were useless now, and he 
bent every energy to the task of repairing the mischief 
already done. 

Fully half-an-hour elapsed before he was where it was 
possible to catch even a glimpse of the enemy, and then 
ten minutes more were spent in creeping nearer to make 
certain of his prey. 

Two huge bowlders, so situated as to form a deep 
angle, was the spot selected by the Greasers for their 
ambush, and half-a-dozen could readily have found 
shelter behind the barricade from an enemy approaching 
from the direction of Silver City. 

The body of the one who fell at Dale’s first shot had 
been thrown out to give the other more room, and in the 
thicket twenty yards away were several ponies tethered. 

The boy was so eager to put an end to the fight that he 


Bruneau Valley. 


36 

failed to observe the number of animalSj otherwise he 
would have been more cautious. 

He was in position to fire, when the man behind the 
rock stepped a few paces in the rear to reload his weapon, 
and Dale discharged his rifle. 

The Mexican spun around an instant like a top, and 
then pitched forward on his face. 

“We’ve settled him! Come on, Eph!” Dale shouted, 
as he rose to his feet, and was on the point of running 
forward, when the muzzle of a rifle was projected above 
the rock, and the boy understood that there were yet more 
of the enemy in ambush, while his own weapon was 
empty. 


CHAPTER V. 


A DANGEROUS SITUATION. 

Dale was tally alive to the danger of the situation. 

He knew beyond a question that the Mexican was on 
the point of firing, and instantly he took the only course 
in which there was the slightest chance of success. 

One could hardly have counted more than five from the 
moment the muzzle of the rifle was seen before Dale 
dropped suddenly to the ground. 

By a sort of intuition, he realized that the fellow was 
about to shoot, and only the merest fraction of time 
elapsed from the execution of his maneuver until the 
report of the rifle was heard. 

The Mexican evidently believed he had hit the target, 
for he sprang forward to draw the supposedly lifeless 
body behind the rock in order to plunder it, and at the 
same instant Dale was ready for the struggle which could 
end only with the death of one. 

As the fellow bent over him, the boy flung up his arms, 
catching the enemy around the neck, and, bending him 
down in such a manner that it was impossible for the man 
to draw the knife from his belt. 

In the meanwhile, Eph was coming up at full speed, 
having heard the last report, and understanding exactly 
how his companion had been mistaken. 


38 


A Dangerous Situation. 


When he arrived at the scene of the conflict, however, 
it was impossible to aid his friend. 

The two, locked in a close embrace, were rolling over 
and over on the ground, each struggling to gain the 
mastery, and neither able to use his weapons. 

Dale wore a keen-edged knife at his belt, but it was 
impossible to draw it, and the Greaser, unable to get at 
his own, was doing the best he knew how to seize it. 

“Hold him still a second!” Eph cried, as he came 
nearer, hoping to get a chance to shoot. 

He might as well have asked Dale to toss the fellow in 
the air like a ball, so far as the boy’s ability to comply 
with the request was concerned. 

He had all he could do to prevent the knife-thrust, 
without attempting to act upon the defensive, and under- 
stood only too well that he could not continue the struggle 
many seconds longer. 

“He’s getting the best of me!” Dale panted, and even 
as the words were spoken the Greaser succeeded in draw- 
ing his adversary’s knife. 

There was no longer time for Eph to hesitate. 

He must act even at the risk of inflicting deadly injury 
on the boy he was eager to save. 

The man raised the glittering steel, and, as he did so, 
Eph brought down the barrel of his rifle on the uplifted 
arm. 

The weapon was dashed aside, and, as the fellow 
winced from the pain, Dale succeeded in turning him on 
his back, 


A Dangerous Situation. 


39 


Eph sprang forward; there was a sudden report, and 
the life-blood spurted over the boy’s face and hands, as 
the Greaser lay motionless in death. 

Dale sprang to his feet, pale and trembling. 

Although it was a deadly enemy who had been killed, 
the fact savored too much of murder, and, faint and sick 
at heart, he staggered against the rock, closing his eyes 
to shut out from view the evidences of the short but 
bloody fight. 

“That was soon over, but it looked like a mighty tight 
squeak for you,” Eph said, as he reloaded his weapon, 
and then began searching the bodies of the slain, as eager 
for plunder as any of those whom he was pursuing could 
have been. 

“Don’t do that!” Dale said, in a low tone. “It seems 
as if we had done this thing simply for an opportunity to 
rob.” 

“It’s only turn about, an’ that’s fair play,” Eph replied, 
as he continued his work. “They would have done the 
same by us, an’ it’s best to give this kind of vermin a 
taste of their own medicine.” 

“If the remainder of the gang are near, the report of 
our rifles will bring them down on us soon,” Dale said, j 
in the same low tone, but roused by the thought that the 
danger was not yet over. 

“You’re right, lad, though I reckon these fellows kept 
a long distance in the rear. It’s hard luck for us, be- 
cause, when night comes an’ they don’t jine the main 
body, there’ll be a search made. What’s more, it’s the 
same as tellin’ ’em we’re on the trail.” 


40 A Dangerous Situation. 

Eph had finished his work of rifling the dead, and, as 
he spoke, held up three well-filled bags of gold dust. 

"Put it out of sight/’ Dale said, with a shudder. 

"That’s jest what I’m goin’ to do. ’Cordin’ to the 
weight of these, the Greasers have been makin’ a payin’ 
trip out of this raid.” 

"What are we to do now ?” 

"Look over the hoss flesh, an’ if it’s better’n ourn, 
swap.” 

"I’d rather keep my own pony than take one of theirs.” 

"Bless you, lad, them hosses most likely were taken 
from the Morey ranch last night, an’ these fellers hadn’t 
half as much right to ’em as we have.” 

On a .closer inspection, however, Eph decided that there 
was no good reason why an exchange should be made. 

Their own animals were equally as fresh as those 
ridden by the Mexicans, and Dale said : 

“Turn them loose ; we sha n’t make anything by swap- 
ping.” 

"It won’t pay to leave the saddles on. Them an’ the 
blankets must be hidden somewhere near.” 

"Why?” 

"S’pose we rescued the girl, or any of the other 
prisoners, wouldn’t it come in mighty handy if they had 
something to ride on ?” 

"That is true, but what good will a saddle be without 
anything under it ?” 

"When it comes to a row we’ll find ponies enough, but 
they may not all be ready for use.” 

There was common sense in this argument, and Dale 


A Dangerous Situation. 


4i 


at once assisted in depositing the blankets, bridles and 
saddles in the thicket, where they would be hidden from 
view of any one who might pass. 

This done, the question arose as to whether they should 
continue the pursuit, or wait until later in the day, when 
it might be possible to come upon the camp without run- 
ning the risk of meeting stragglers. 

Strange as it may seem, the positions were now re- 
versed. Eph was in favor of pushing forward, while 
Dale urged that they remain in the rear. 

“I didn’t talk that way a little while ago,” the former 
said, “but then we hadn’t met the vermin what was 
stoppin’ behind the rock waitin’ for Gabriel to sound his 
trump. They was sent out to guard the rear, an’ it 
stands us in hand to creep up while there’s nobody to say 
anything ag’in it.” 

Dale, who realized that through his impatience the 
work of freeing the captives, as well as that of making the 
leader a prisoner, had been retarded, now became too 
cautious, and would have ridden back a few miles to re- 
main in hiding but for the weight of Eph’s arguments. 

“We’ve done all the mischief possible, an’ must now 
take what little advantage remains to be gained,” the 
latter said. “I didn’t want to come quite so nigh, but, 
seein’s how the mischief’s been done, we can’t do any- 
thing better than push ahead.” 

Remembering what his own impetuosity had brought 
about, and realizing that Eph’s advice must be better than 
his own opinion, because of experience, Dale gave way by 
saying : 


42 


A Dangerous Situation. 


“Do whatever you think best, and I’ll follow.” 

“Now you’re talkin’ sense, lad. I don’t claim to be 
much of a fighter, but it’s a mighty cold day when I can’t 
get the best of a crowd of Greasers so far as sneaking is 
concerned ?” 

“What do you propose?” 

“That we get as near the main body of the murderers 
as possible, an’, when night comes, make one bold rush to 
set the prisoners free.” 

“Come on, I’m ready to follow your advice in every 
particular, since my own opinion has proven so much at 
fault.” 

“I jain’t countin’ on ridin’ right among ’em,” Eph re- 
plied, as he mounted his pony with a certain deliberation 
which told that he was undecided as to the most prudent 
course of action. 

“What then?” 

“We must hang behind till it’s possible to find out the 
general arrangement of the camp, an’ then we’ll know 
what to do.” 

“But your plan requires hours, and we can’t afford to 
lose a single one.” 

“It’s better to go to work easy like, an’ lose time rather 
than our lives.” 

“But, Eph, think of Nina !” 

“Who’s she?” 

“Mr. Morey’s daughter.” 

“Well, she’s no better than the rest of the poor creeters 
what are in the Greasers’ power, an’ we must take time 
to help any of ’em.” 


43 


A Dangerous Situation. 

It was difficult for Dale to restrain his impatience, but 
he knew of no plan worthy of mention, and therefore 
held his peace. 

In less than an hour from the time the battle with the 
rear guard began the pursuers were on the trail once 
more, this time riding cautiously, and halting at every 
rise of the land lest they should come upon the enemy 
unawares. 

On beginning the journey Dale’s only thought had been 
to avenge the murder of his father, but now this was a 
secondary matter as compared with the release of Nina, a 
young lady whom he had never seen. 

He could fancy her in the power of the man who rode 
the spotted pony, and the thought was maddening. 

To control his impatience seemed impossible, and more 
than once before the chase came to an end did he resolve 
to insist upon Eph’s advancing more rapidly. 

Fortunately, he waited before making complaint as to 
the slow advance, and when, just at nightfall, they came 
within sight of the outlaws’ encampment, Dale realized 
that they had arrived none too late. 

The Greasers had formed camp on the plain at the base 
of one of the foothills, where a stream wound through 
the grass within easy walking distance, and the undula- 
tions of the land afforded every possibility of a defense. 

It could now be seen by the two, who were on an ele- 
vation fully five hundred feet above the band, that the 
force of the Greasers was much larger than had been 
fancied. 

There were not less than a hundred men, and three 


44 


A Dangerous Situation. 


times that number of ponies and cattle, all drawn up in 
such a manner that if the animals were shot down they 
would afford a barricade to the human beings. 

“Can you see the prisoners?” Dale asked anxiously, as 
he searched with his eyes in vain for the young lady 
whom he had mentally resolved to save, or to perish in 
the attempt. 

“They are behind that clump of bushes, ’cordin’ to my 
reckonin’. See how many sentinels are posted at the 
place.” 

“It won’t be an easy matter to make our way through 
there.” 

“You are right, lad, an’ it begins to look as if we’d 
have to lay low for a while, ’cause it would be more’n a 
man’s life was worth to go into the camp.” 

“And yet that is exactly what we must do before to- 
morrow morning,” Dale said, half to himself. 


j CHAPTER VI. 

THE ENEMY’S CAMP. 

Dale and Eph were where they could overlook the en- 
campment without fear of being seen by the enemy. 

The latter had insisted on riding around the hill to a 
place so far above the Mexicans there was little danger 
they would suspect an attack from that point, and here 
the two could distinguish all that was going on below. 

The men were lounging about in attitudes suggestive 
of comfort, and it was possible to count the captives, who 
were exposed to the full glare of the sun. 

Dale, thinking only of Miss Nina, searched with his 
eyes until he could distinguish three female prisoners 
lashed to the trees, but the fourth, and the one he was 
most eager to see, was not in sight. 

“She’s with the leader of the gang,” Eph said in a 
matter-of-fact tone. “Look over by that clump of bushes 
where the rays of the sun are shut off by the shadow of 
the hill, and’ you can make out a couple of fellers standin’ 
guard. It’s dollars to doughnuts that the man who rode 
the spotted pony is near abouts.” 

That this particular spot was the camping-place of the 
chief there seemed little doubt from the general indica- 
tions, and Dale took careful notes of the surroundings, 
that he might be able to distinguish them in the darkness. 


46 The Enemy’s Camp. 

“That is where we must go to-night,” he said, after a 
long pause. 

“What for?” 

“To rescue Miss Nina.” 

“Why not cut your own throat now, an’ save all that 
trouble ?” 

“What do you mean ?” 

“That it would be better to give up the fight here than 
try to go through the camp.” 

“It can be done if a fellow looks out for himself.” 

“A hundred men to back us would not be enough. 
Them men fight like devils, an’ sneakin’ round among ’em 
ain’t child’s play by any manner of means.” 

“At the same time, Eph, we must save those poor 
women.” 

“You’re right, so far as that goes, but it won’t be done 
by venturin’ into the lion’s mouth.” 

“I look upon them only as jackals.” 

“Better give them credit for something better, an’ 
then you won’t stand so many chances of cornin’ to grief. 
I know the kind of customers we have to deal with, an’ 
don’t feel like runnin’ big risks.” 

Although he would not admit it, Dale understood that 
nothing could be effected by making a rush, yet it needed 
the conversation with his more practical companion to 
convince him he must remain quiet. 

The Greasers appeared to feel perfectly secure. It is 
true that the camp had been formed with a view to re- 
sisting an attack, but yet at the same time it could readily 
be seen that they did not fear one. 


The Enemy’s Camp. 47 

The men were lounging around the fires before which 
the cooks were working, the majority playing cards, 
others throwing dice, and all engaged in some kind of 
gambling. 

Dale searched with his eyes for the leader, but failed to 
see any one who appeared to act in that capacity. 

Mounted, he could have distinguished him by the 
spotted pony, but at rest there was nothing to mark him 
from the rank and file, and, failing to single out Miss 
Nina from the captives, it seemed certain the chief must 
have selected her as his especial prisoner. 

Had Dale caught a glimpse of the man whom he sus- 
pected of having murdered his father, knowing he held 
the young girl a captive, it is positive he would have taken 
deadly aim, regardless of the result, and this Eph seemed 
to fear, for he said, in a soothing tone : 

“See here, lad, we can’t accomplish anything among 
these villains without a little patience. If you’ll hold 
your temper I’ll guarantee that we get the best of this 
crowd in the long run.” 

“And in the meantime Miss Nina is to be left unpro- 
tected in that camp of rascals.” 

\ “It wouldn’t make any difference in the general ar- 
rangement of matters whatever you might do, except that 
by bein’ made prisoners we should lose all chance of giv- 
ing her a helpin’ hand. Lay low till sunset, an’ I’ll take 
a trip through the camp to see what can be done.” 

“That is exactly what I propose doing myself.” 

“Better let me go, I’ve had more experience in sich 
work, an’ oughter take the chances.” 


4 8 


The Enemy’s Camp. 

“I shall try it myself,” Dale replied, in a tone which 
admitted of no further argument, and Eph wisely re- 
mained silent. 

The watchers had not long to wait for the coming of 
night. 

Already were the shadows gathering, and even as they 
spoke the gloom descended upon the valley, shutting out 
from view everything save the glow of the camp-fires. 

“You will wait here for me,” Dale said, as he handed 
his rifle to Eph, and examined the revolver to make cer- 
tain it was ready for use. 

“Do you count on leavin' now?” 

“I propose to approach the camp as near as is safe, and 
there wait for an opportunity to let those poor people 
know we are ready to aid them.” 

“Be careful not to put yourself in their place without 
accomplishing anything.” 

“Don’t fear for me, Eph, and in case I should get the 
worst of it there can be but little difference.” 

“Except that alone I shouldn’t try to do anything to- 
ward helpin’ Miss Nina. You must hold your own or she 
is lost.” 

Although Eph did not mean all he said, the implied 
threat was sufficient to render Dale more cautious, and he 
reviewed the situation with different feelings. 

“It is hardly likely I can do much good,” he said, 
thoughtfully; “but it will at least be possible to let the 
prisoners know we mean to give them assistance.” 

“Remember your father’s murder is as yet unavenged, 


The Enemy’s Camp. 49 

and you must take good care of yourself for that pur- 
pose,” Eph said, carelessly. 

This was sufficient to recall Dale to the aim of his 
life, and he replied in a different tone: 

“I won’t forget what we have come for, Eph, but it 
may be I shall see a way to pay my debt without follow- 
ing these murderers any longer.” 

“I hope you will,” was the guarded reply, and then Dale 
started on his dangerous mission. 

Clambering cautiously down the hillside, taking advan- 
tage of every bush and rock which might afford him 
shelter, Dale approached the camp of the Greasers, keep- 
ing ever in mind the place where he believed the leader 
had taken up his quarters. 

Within ten minutes after leaving Eph he was so near 
that it was possible to hear the conversation of those 
around him, who were hidden only by the darkness, and 
from this he could form a very good idea of what the 
ruffians proposed to do. 

“There’s plenty of time yet to make a stake here in 
the States,” one of the troopers was saying, as Dale 
passed within a few yards of their camp-fire. “We needn’t 
fear pursuit for a week, and before then we shall be j 
across the border, providing the supply of horse flesh 
continues as good as we’ve found it for the past four 
days.” 

“The captain has his eye on something besides ponies,” 
another of the party replied. “By the way he’s goin’ on 
over there, I should say we’d better start an old woman’s 
home, instead of spending time burnin’ ranches.” 


50 


The Enemy’s Camp. 

“He’s hard hit for a fact, but I reckon he’ll recover 
before many days. Leave him alone till the dream wears 
off.” 

It would have been an easy matter for Dale to shoot 
the gossipers down from where he stood, and his fingers 
did play nervously with the trigger of his revolver, but, 
fortunately, he remembered in time how much depended 
upon his visit remaining a secret, and succeeded in check- 
ing his anger. 

That he was able to pass unchallenged in the very 
midst of the camp showed how safe from pursuit the vil- 
lains believed themselves to be, and Dale passed on, feel- 
ing that never again would he have any compunction 
against shooting such scoundrels. 

“I could kill the leader of this gang in cold blood, and 
never turn a hair,” he said to himself, as he crept toward 
the spot where he believed the murderer of his father had 
made his camp. 

Before proceeding a dozen yards he was brought to a 
standstill by coming in contact with a pile of goods 
thrown carelessly down near a clump of trees, as they 
had been removed from the pack animals. 

It was the plunder the ruffians had brought away from 
the Morey ranch, and probably consisted of a general as- 
sortment of such things as would ordinarily be found in 
the dwelling of a wealthy ranchman. 

Dale paid no further attention to the goods, save to 
make his way carefully around them, and then suddenly 
he became aware, from the sound of heavy breathing, that 
he was very near a human being. 


5i 


The Enemy’s Camp. 

His first idea was that it might be one of the Greasers, 
who, suspecting his presence, was skulking around with 
the hope of taking him by surprise, but then came the 
thought that he was standing beside a prisoner. 

With the utmost caution he advanced sufficiently to 
ascertain that it was a man whom he had heard, and the 
fact of his being tied to a tree. There was some little 
risk in making his presence known, but he did not hesi- 
tate any longer than was necessary to prepare the 
stranger for a surprise by pressing his hand over the lat- 
ter’s mouth as he whispered: 

“Are you one of those taken from the Morey ranch?” 

He could feel that the man bowed his head, and then 
he released his hold to hear the words : 

“You must be a friend! Help me rescue Miss Nina!” 

“Where is she?” 

“In the encampment somewhere; I saw her just be- 
fore dark.” 

While he was speaking, Dale had been severing the 
man’s bonds, and the prisoner was hardly freed when a 
loud shouting was heard from the main body of the 
Greasers, who were further down the hillside on the plain. 

In an instant everything was in apparent confusion. 

Men ran to and fro, some carrying torches, and all in 
a state of excitement, until there was every danger Dale 
would be discovered. 

“Which way did you come from?” the released pris- 
oner asked, hurriedly. 


“My friend is higher up on the hill.” 


52 


The Enemy’s Camp. 


“Then you must get back at once. Something has 
happened to cause alarm.” 

“Follow me, for, of course, you want to leave the 
camp.” 

“Yes, but not to go very far while these poor women 
are in the power of such brutes.” 

Cautiously but hurriedly, Dale led the way up the hill, 
and in a short time the two were by the side of Eph, who 
said in a matter-of-fact tone to the boy: 

“They’ve jest found out why them fellers we met up 
by the rocks don’t come back. It looks as if we might 
have a hot time before mornin’, unless we can lay mighty 
snug.” 


CHAPTER VII. 


BESIEGED. 

That Eph’s conjecture was correct seemed positive 
from the movements of the men. 

They moved to and fro uneasily until some order was 
given in a loud tone, when half a dozen mounted and rode 
off at full speed. 

“That was Espinosa who spoke then,” the rescued pris- 
oner said, in a whisper. 

“Who’s he?” Eph asked. 

“The leader of the cutthroats. He was once flogged 
by Mr. Morey for insulting somebody, and since that time 
has threatened to destroy the property. We heard three 
weeks ago that he was enlisting in his service all the 
Greasers in the vicinity, but had no idea the day for the 
attack was so near at hand.” 

“How many has he with him?” 

“I should think there could not be less than a hundred, 
each one ready for any cruel or desperate deed.” 

“Were you taken completely by surprise at the ranch ?” 

“So much so that four were killed before we knew 
where to look for the enemy.” 

“Why did he make prisoners of the men?” 

“To flog them to death, and he threatens to do the sairie 
by Mr. Morey. How did you hit upon our trail ?” 


54 


Besieged. 

Dale related all the particulars, including the murder of 
his father, and concluded by saying : 

“It doesn’t seem as if two, or I should say three now, 
could effect much against the villains, but yet we intend 
to try. Of course we can count you with us ?” 

“While a drop of blood remains in my body ; but I am 
afraid there is little opportunity for work to-night. The 
camp will be on the alert, since the death of the three rear- 
guard is probably known, and more than likely the entire 
vicinity will be searched. Until now they have traveled 
without fear of pursuit.” 

Then the man, who gave his name as Jack Bar stow, 
told the detailed story of the attack upon the ranch ; but 
he related nothing which Dale and Eph had not already 
heard from the old nurse. 

“I should have continued right on, and done my best 
to find Miss Nina while I was in the camp,” Dale said, 
thoughtfully, when the sad tale was concluded. 

“You could have accomplished nothing. Espinosa 
keeps a close watch upon her himself, for, through the 
girl, he intends to wreak a terrible revenge on Mr. Morey. 

I have Here they come! They are searching for 

you, and my escape will soon be known.” 

A line of twenty men, each carrying a torch, could be 
seen sweeping up through the camp, directly toward 
where the little party was in hiding, and an immediate 
change of base was necessary if Dale and his friends 
wished to avoid detection. 

“I could shoot half a dozen down before they could 


Besieged. 55 

learn where we are,” the boy said, as he fingered the 
trigger of his rifle nervously. 

“Don’t do anything of the kind!” Barstow cried. 
“They would get the best of us in a fight, and it is only 
by working secretly that we can hope to free Miss Nina.” 

This argument was :uflicient to induce Dale to lay 
down his weapon, and Eph said, as he rose to his feet : 

“It strikes me that we’ve got no more than time to get 
out of this. They are coming straight up the hill, and in 
ten minutes we shall be too late.” 

Even now one of the ponies might betray them, and 
Barstow showed that he was fully sensible of that fact 
by standing near the animals’ heads to keep them quiet. 

Dale objected to beating a retreat; but he had already 
come near causing serious trouble by not following his 
companions’ advice, and could not afford to take similar 
chances. 

There was no time to form any plan of action. 

The Greasers were approaching rapidly, and the three 
started up the ascent, intending to wind around the hill 
toward the north after they were at a safe distance from 
the camp. 

The retreat had but just begun when a loud cry of 
anger and surprise came from the outlaws, and Barstow 
said, hurriedly: 

“They’ve found out that I gave them the slip. The 
fact that the lariat that held me fast was cut will show 
that some one helped me. You two had better mount 
and leave me to run my chances.” 

“What do you take us for, to desert a man when such 


56 Besieged. 

devils are at his heels?” Dale asked, indignantly. “We 
will get out of their way, if possible, but if they come too 
close, it will be a case of fighting for our lives.” 

Eph said nothing ; but since he did not mount, it could 
be seen that he shared Dale’s opinion. 

Now the enemy were advancing more rapidly. 

There was no longer any question in their minds but 
that they were being followed, and safety demanded that 
the strangers should be found. 

Five minutes later it was no longer possible to continue 
the retreat on foot. 

The enemy had extended their line until the hill was 
nearly encircled, and the little party were at that portion 
where there was no foliage to afford protection. 

To advance a dozen yards farther would be to expose 
themselves against the sky, where they could be seen 
almost as plainly as at noonday. 

“Now you must ride for your lives !” Barstow said, as 
he halted beneath the shadow of a huge bowlder. 
“There’s a possibility you can ride through the line, and 
I’ll take my chances here.” 

Dale did not reply, but looked hurriedly around. 

At this particular point were half a dozen big rocks, 
with sufficient space in the center to shelter twice as 
many as the fugitives could muster. 

It was a natural fortification, and but for # the absence 
of water might have been held against overwhelming 
odds. 

“Come in here,” Dale said, as he led the way. “This is 


Besieged. 57 

better than making a dash when the chances are that all 
would be shot down/’ 

“We can’t stay a great while,” Eph replied, as he 
obeyed the order. “Once them devils know where we 
are, they’ll hang on like grim death.” 

“It shall be death to some of them, and I only hope 
Espinosa will lead his men against us. I am willing to 
die if he can be killed and Miss Nina saved.” 

By this time the little party had no other alternative 
than to remain and fight. 

The Greasers were so near that a man on horseback 
would have been riddled with bullets before he could 
begin a flight, and Dale said, as he handed Barstow his 
revolver : 

“Take that, and don’t waste a shot if it can be avoided.” 

“There’s no need of such a caution,” the man replied, 
grimly. “I only ask for a chance to pay off the debt con- 
tracted at the ranch, and every bullet shall go straight to 
the mark.” 

Eph was hobbling the ponies at the rear of the fortifica- 
tion, and before his work was finished, the battle had 
begun. 

Two fellows, who were several paces in advance of 
their companions, came into full view, and Dale and Bar- 
stow fired, the reports of both weapons sounding as one. 

In this case there was no waste of lead. 

The Greasers dropped, one dead, and the other seri- 
ously wounded. 

“Look out, they’re going to make a rush!” Barstow 


58 Besieged. 

cried, and Dale had but just reloaded his weapon when 
the foremost came into view. 

By this time Eph was ready to do his share, and the 
enemy were received so warmly that they retreated with- 
out firing more than five or six shots. 

“I reckon they’ll keep out of sight for a while,” Dale 
cried, triumphantly, but Barstow checked his joy by 
saying : 

“The next time they may have the upper hand. It is 
now known where we are, and some of the curs will go 
around the hill to the top, where they’ll have a good 
chance to shoot us at leisure.” 

“We must guard against that. You fellows stay here, 
and I’ll keep watch a short distance above.” 

“It’s my place to do that,” Eph said, as he laid his hand 
on the boy’s arm. “Attend to this portion of the scrim- 
mage, and I’ll see to things up there.” 

Without waiting for a reply, he left the natural fort, 
gliding like a serpent over the bare ground until lost to 
view in the distance. 

“How long do you think they’ll try to keep us here?” 
Dale asked, when he and the ranchman were alone. 

“Till all three are killed or taken prisoners. Espinosa 
is not a man who would tire or be frightened.” 

“We can make it hot for them, unless they get the best 
of Eph.” 

“Thirst will soon get the best of us,” was the grim re- 
ply, and, as if to change the subject of his thoughts, Bar- 
stow added: “We haven’t got any too many weapons. 
Those fellows laying out there seem to be well supplied, 


Besieged. 59 

and if you’ll keep your eyes open wide, I propose to bor- 
row what they have about them.” 

He referred to the dead man and the dying man who 
were lying a short distance away from the barricade in 
full view. 

“The rest of the gang can’t be very far off, and I’m 
afraid the risk is too great.” 

“No more than staying here with nothing but a rifle 
and a revolver between two of us,” the ranchman replied, 
and before Dale could say anything more, he was outside 
the inclosure, keeping his body under cover of the foliage 
as far as possible while approaching the Greasers. 

The boy watched every movement, almost forgetting 
that he should be on the guard against a sudden attack. 

He saw Barstow leap like a cat upon the wounded man, 
and then there was a quick movement of his right arm as 
the Greaser’s knife was buried in his own heart. 

It was very like murder, but yet a necessity if the 
ranchman’s purpose was to be accomplished. 

Not a movement was made by the enemy as the daring 
fellow rifled the bodies of his victims, and crept cau- 
tiously back to the fortification. 

“I reckon we’re a little better off for that trip,” he said, 
in a tone of triumph. “Two rifles, three' revolvers, a 
couple of good knives and plenty of ammunition, ain’t to 
be sneezed at by men in our position.” 

The weapons were, indeed a valuable acquisition to the 
besieged. 

They were now fully armed, and could give a very 
good account of themselves in case of a sudden attack. 


6o 


Besieged. 


Dale forgot the seeming murder in his satisfaction at 
knowing how much better prepared than before they were 
now. 

“If we could only get a supply of water in the same 
way, matters would look a good deal brighter.” 

“So long as there’s no chance of that, we must make 
up our minds to know what thirst is before we’re twenty- 
four hours older.” 

At that moment the two were startled by the sharp re- 
port of a rifle, apparently from above their heads, and 
Dale cried: 

“They are coming, and Eph may be in trouble. Do the 
best you can here, while I join him.” 

Dale started at full speed up the hill, as a regular volley 
of rifle-shots rang out sharp and distinct on the night air. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


HAND - TO - HAND. 

That Eph was contending against a large force could 
be told by the rapid discharge of firearms, and Dale ran 
at full speed, regardless of the danger in thus exposing 
himself upon that portion of the hill where there was no 
chance of shelter. 

Now and then he could see a flash of light from amid 
a clump of small bushes, and this told him where the 
faithful fellow had taken his stand. Farther down the 
hill the burning powder told of the Greasers’ location, 
and Dale understood that they were coming up rapidly, 
probably intending to make a regular assault. 

Now Dale proceeded with more caution, although with- 
out slackening speed, and reached Eph’s side just as the 
enemy broke from the cover in full view. 
f Taking careful aim at the foremost, the boy fired, and 
then drawing his revolver, continued to rain the bullets 
among the small party until every chamber was emptied. 

“Good for you,” Eph cried, as he reloaded his weapons, 
and peered out for a glimpse of the Greasers, who had 
momentarily halted, in face of the leaden shower. “Fd 
kinder got it in my head that they’d finish me ; but your 
shots counted in great style.” 

The two were hardly in condition for defense once 


62 


Hand-to-Hand. 


more when the enemy again advanced, and during the 
next ten minutes a perfect fusillade was kept up. 

From the rapidity with which the two discharged their 
weapons, it must have seemed to the enemy as if they 
were opposed by at least half-a-dozen, and when five of 
their number were disabled, they fled with the utmost 
haste down the hill. 

“That settles them, I reckon,” Dale cried, “and we have 
finished the fight with not so much as a scratch !” 

“The ceremonies haven’t come to an end yet,” Eph re- 
plied, as he turned toward the fortification of rocks. 

Then, for the first time did Dale understand that a 
battle was in progress on the other side of the hill, and 
from the cries of rage and triumph, it seemed as if the 
ranchman was getting the worst of it. 

Eph had already started, running at full speed, and 
Dale followed him. 

When they arrived at the scene of this second conflict, 
Barstow was seen inside the inclosure, trying to keep at 
bay a dozen men who were clustered around the entrance. 

The new arrivals rushed forward with loud cries, but 
, they came too late to prevent the enemy from gaining ad- 
mission, and in a twinkling all three were engaged in a 
hand-to-hand fight against what appeared to be an over- 
whelming force. 

What occurred during' the next five minutes Dale was 
never able to describe. 

He was conscious of discharging his revolver in the 
very faces of men when the distance was so short that 
their skins must have been scorched by the burning pow- 


Hand-to-Hand. 63 

der, and then came a struggle with knives, in which 
ponies and human beings were mingled. 

Cries of rage, groans and shrieks made of the hillside 
a perfect pandemonium, and over all hung clouds of 
smoke like some gigantic funeral pall. 

The engagement was short, but decisive. 

The coming of Eph and Dale at a time when the 
weapons of the others had been emptied, turned the tide 
of battle, and again the Greasers beat a retreat, leaving 
behind six of their number. 

As for the defenders of the fortification, they had not 
escaped harmless. 

Dale had a slight cut on the cheek, from which the 
blood flowed freely, while Eph had plenty of work trying 
unaided to bind up wounds on his leg and arm. 

The ranchman lost an ear by a sweeping cut of a long 
Mexican knife, and appeared to be completely drenched 
with the crimson fluid. 

Eph acted the part of surgeon to his companions, and 
did the work so expeditiously that in a comparatively 
short time their wounds were dressed as well as was pos- 
sible under the circumstances. 

“It was hot while it lasted,” he said, as Dale in turn 
attended to Eph’s hurts ; “but I reckon the devils have got 
all they want to-night.” 

The ranchman, who, with a strip of blanket tied round 
his head, was searching the bodies of the dead and 
wounded, taking away the weapons from the last-named 
as a necessary precaution, since he found one trying to 
load a revolver with which to wreak revenge, added : 


6 4 


Hand-to-Hand. 


‘Til allow we can take it easy till mornin’, but then look 
out for trouble. Here’s one of the imps who counted on 
killin’ us, an’ I reckon he can give us some information 
that’ll be of advantage.” 

“If he can he won’t,” was the dogged reply from the 
disabled Greaser. 

“Very well, then, I’ll waste a bullet on your worthless 
carcass, for we don’t want sich vermin around.” 

“Are you going to kill him in cold blood ?” Dale cried, 
as Barstow pressed the muzzle of his weapon against the 
fellow’s head. 

“Of course ; we’ve got no use for him, and it won’t do 
to let him jine the other devils, to tell how many of us 
are up here.” 

“What is the use of speaking, if you intend to shoot 
at the last?” the man asked, sulkily. 

“If you tell me what I want to know, I swear that you 
shall live, so far as I’m concerned.” 

“Then you intend that one of the others shall finish 
me.” 

“Nobody will raise a hand against you, and when we 
leave, you can go free,” the ranchman replied. 

“But you won’t leave this place alive. Espinosa has 
sworn it, and he keeps his oath.” 

“I give you my word that it’ll be broken this time, and 
we shall have the satisfaction of helpin’ him out of the 
world.” 

“He has too many men for you ever to get away.” 

“They are bein’ thinned out mighty fast. At this rate 
there wouldn’t be one left by mornin’. I reckon we’ve 


Hand-to-Hand. 65 

done for fifteen or more, an’ the fight has jest begun, 
with our side feelin’ fresher than when we started in.” 

The man made no reply for a few seconds, and then he 
asked : 

“What shall I tell you in order to save my life?” 

“In the first place, how many men had Espinosa when 
you camped to-night ?” 

“Ninety-three, all told.” 

“That’s countin’ the three my friends wiped out on the 
trail, I reckon!” 

“Was Jose killed?” the wounded man asked, eagerly, 
as he tried in vain to raise himself on his elbow. 

“If Jose was one of those left to guard the rear, I am 
pleased at being able to inform you that he’s been served 
as all such Greasers should be. The most surprisin’ part 
of that business is that Espinosa didn’t find it out before. 
Where are your gang headin’ for?” 

“To the chief’s ranch in Southern California.” 

Barstow gave vent to a prolonged whistle, expressive 
of surprise. 

“He’s countin’ on takin’ a long journey.” 

“There is nothing to prevent. Since the soldiers have 
been withdrawn, it is easy to make quite a visit in the 
States. Have you any idea of following him?” 

“That remains to be seen; but I give you my solemn 
word that the villain don’t get off scot free this time.” 

“When Espinosa left his gang a few days ago, who did 
he travel with ?” Dale asked. 

“We met a prospector, who’d struck it rich, and the 
chief wanted to learn the location of the claim.” 


66 


Hand-to-Hand. 


There was no longer any question but that the Greaser 
was the murderer of his father, and Dale felt as if it 
would be the greatest possible pleasure to meet face to 
face the villain, even though his own death should be the 
result. 

“Do you know if Espinosa is countin’ on callin’ at any 
other ranch?” Barstow asked. 

“It was arranged that we should be at Gordon’s to- 
morrow morning; but the chief may have to put that 
visit off till you are wiped out.” 

“In that case I’m afraid he’ll never go,” the ranchman 
replied, with a laugh ; and then, after removing the weap- 
ons out of his informant’s reach, he beckoned for his com- 
panions to step aside where the prisoner could not over- 
hear the conversation. 

“It is time for us to make a move/’ he whispered. 
“You heard what that scoundrel said, and we must reach 
the Gordon ranch ahead of these devils.” 

“And leave Miss Nina in that Greaser’s power?” Dale 
asked, indignantly. 

“There’s no help for it yet a while. We can’t hope to 
whip the whole crowd, an’ all that could be done would 
be to stay here while they do as they please. By morning 
we’ll need water, and twenty-four hours later it’ll be a 
question of surrendering rather than suffering.” 

“I would die before giving myself up,” Dale replied. 

“You have never been thirsty. The animals can travel 
now, while by to-morrow night they will be unfit. Ride 
to the ranch, put the people there on their guard, and we 


Hand-to-Hand. 67 

shall have force enough to wipe this Espinosa out of 
existence.” 

“But suppose he does not go there? In that case we 
might lose his trail.” 

“Don’t fear, my boy. He’ll mark it plainly enough 
with blood and fire for us to ride him down whenever we 
choose.” 

“How far is this ranch away?” Eph asked. 

“Twenty miles or more.” 

“There are but two horses ; are you countin’ on stayin’ 
behind?” 

“I shall get a pony before daylight.” 

“How?” 

“There are plenty in the valley. When you ride out, I 
will venture there.” 

“And with these fellows buzzin’ round like bees, there 
isn’t much chance of gettin’ off without a bullet in your 
hide.” 

“I must take those chances. Be guided by me, and try 
to leave here within an hour.” 

“I question whether it can be done,” Dale said. “They 
are, as a matter of course, keeping close watch on the 
hill, and an attempt would only result in a running fight.” 

“I believe I can show you the way. Promise that you 
will take my advice, and thus do all that is possible to 
save life, at the same time we increase the chances of 
rescuin’ Miss Nina.” 

“Barstow is in the right, lad,” Eph said. “The best 
plan is to do as he says, an’ then we’ll have force enough 
to tackle the boss devil in proper shape.” 


68 


Hand-to-Hand. 


Dale was not willing to leave Nina, even for a few 
hours, but he could not well refuse to do as both his com- 
panions wished, therefore he said : 

“Very well, I will go, although it does not strike me 
as the best plan.” 

“Then mount, an’ we’ll be off,” the ranchman said, as 
he went toward the animals. 


CHAPTER IX. 


AN ERRAND OF MERCY. 

The prisoner watched intently the movements of his 
captors as the ponies were led out of the fortification, and 
Dale called the attention of his companions to this fact. 

“It won't do to let him know what direction we take/’ 
he said, “for, if possible, we want Espinosa to believe we 
are beating a retreat rather than trying to continue the 
struggle with better advantage.” 

“Fll fix him,” Barstow replied, as he went toward the 
man, and a moment later the Greaser’s eyes were band- 
aged with a strip torn from one of the blankets. “He 
won’t be able to see very much now, an’ we can’t help 
what he may guess at.” 

The ranchman’s proposition was to ride down the hill 
on the side opposite the encampment, trusting to chance 
for getting away secretly, and in case they were dis- 
covered, to trust to the speed of the ponies. 

It was not his intention to let his companions start very 
far in advance, as they soon learned. 

When the horses had been led out of the inclosure, and 
all the arms, save a couple of revolvers which Barstow re- 
served for his own use, and the weapons carried by Dale 
and Eph, had been fastened to the rear of the saddles, he 
said ; 


70 


An Errand of Mercy. 

“Now I count on leavin’ you for a while. Keep right 
on down the hill, an’ if nothin’ perticl’ar happens, I’ll 
meet you about a mile up on the trail to Silver City. Ride 
there an’ wait an hour. If I don’t show up in that time, 
you can reckon I’ve been done for, an’ then go ahead as 
you think best.” 

“Why not keep with us on foot in the hope of picking 
up a pony somewhere on the road ?” Dale asked. 

“Because that would mean failure at the start. The 
only way is as I have said, an’ I allow to fool these 
Greasers enough to get my pick of the ponies they stole 
from the Morey ranch.” 

Dale would have urged him to remain with them, but 
that Eph put an end to the conversation by riding on a 
few paces, and Barstow disappeared at once in the thicket 
on that side of the hill leading directly toward the 
enemy’s camp. 

“It was a foolish thing for him to do,” the boy said, as 
he rejoined his companion. 

“That may be ; but this isn’t the time to argue the mat- 
ter. He knows better than we do how to outwit the ras- 
cals, an’ should have his head. Our hands will be full 
tryin’ to get through the line without a runnin’ fight.” 

“If we could only meet Espinosa face to face I would 
welcome any kind of a row.” 

“Very true; but that scoundrel don’t intend to give you 
sich a chance. He’ll let the others do the heavy fightin’, 
while he stays in the rear. They can talk as they choose 
about a Greaser’s courage, but I don’t believe there's any 


An Errand of Mercy. 71 

sich thing, unless you get him in a corner, an’ then even a 
rat will stand up.” 

It was not well to continue the conversation. 

Already the two were descending the hill a little to the 
north of where the first engagement had been fought, and 
no one could say how near the enemy might be. 

“Keep the bridle in one hand and your revolver in the 
other,” Eph whispered, “for if we do get into close quar- 
ters, it’ll be on the jump, an’ we must ride ready for busi- 
ness at a minute’s notice.” 

The sure-footed little beasts were picking their way 
through the bushes and over the loose stones as if realiz- 
ing the necessity for silence, and their riders had nothing 
to do save watch the shadows around them for signs of 
the enemy. 

More than once did Dale fancy he saw men moving 
across the path ; but the moments went by without show 
of danger, until they were at the foot of the hill con- 
gratulating themselves on having gotten safely away in 
secret. 

Then, from the long grass directly in front came what 
appeared to be a solid sheet of flame, and the bullets 
whistled uncomfortably close past their ears. 

The shying of the horses at the flash probably saved 
the lives of both, and on the instant they were emptying 
their revolvers in the direction from which the shots had 
come. 

“Now use your spurs!” Eph cried, as he set the ex- 
ample, turning the pony in the direction of the Silver City 
trail, and Dale followed at full speed. 


72 


An Errand of Mercy. 

Twice did the Greasers fire, but in the darkness, and 
with swiftly-moving objects as targets, it was almost im- 
possible to hit the mark. 

The fugitives got safely away, and the enemy, believing 
they were in full flight, set up a shout of triumph, but 
made no effort to follow, probably because their horses 
were on the other side of the hill. 

After striking the trail at the point agreed upon, Eph 
drew rein, and said, as Dale rode alongside : 

“Here’s where we promised to wait for the ranchman.” 

“But there’s little chance of seeing him again. Our 
scurry was enough to put the others on their guard.” 

“I reckon things couldn’t have been filed to suit him 
better. It must have drawn off the attention of the rest 
of the gang, an’ given him a chance to sneak away with 
one of the ponies.” 

Dale was not as sanguine. 

He believed Barstow had been recaptured, and thought 
the time spent in waiting for him was wasted, when they 
should have been riding at full speed to give the alarm at 
the ranch where Espinosa proposed to make his next 
visit of murder and pillage. 

“Do you know where Gordon’s is?” he asked, after a 
long pause, during which both had listened in vain for 
sounds betokening that they were pursued. 

“Indeed I don’t, an’ unless the ranchman gets away 
from them devils, we shan’t do very much warnin’, ex- 
cept somebody comes along who knows the country, 
which ain’t likely.” 

Five, ten minutes passed, and just as Dale was on the 


Au Errand of Mercy, 73 

point of urging that they ride ahead, the hoof-beats of a 
horse could be heard. 

“Now, the question is whether Barstow or one of them 
Greasers is coming,” Eph said, as he drew his revolver. 
“There’s only one, and if he’s an enemy, we must stop 
him here.” 

In his short experience Dale had lost all repugnance at 
shooting at a human being, if it was a Greaser on whom 
he could draw bead, and he made ready to give the new- 
comer a warm reception. 

When the horseman was nearly opposite, the two rode 
out from among the shadows, and instantly the voice of 
the ranchman was heard, as he cried : 

“Luck was with us for a fact. The little scrimmage 
you had was just what I needed, and at one time I be- 
lieved it was goin’ to be possible to release the prisoners. 
Every mother’s son of them was for joinin’ in the row, 
an’ but for Espinosa the whole boilin’ would have been 
out here.” 

“I see you’ve got a pony,” Eph said, with a quiet 
chuckle of satisfaction. 

“It’s one of Mr. Morey’s, an’ the best in the herd. 
What’s more, I’ve got a dandy saddle and blankets. Was 
either of you hurt in the shootin’ match?” 

“It was too dark for much damage to be done ; but we 
shouldn’t sit here as if there was no business on hand,” 
Dale replied. “Lead the way to Gordon’s, for we must 
be in the saddle again before many hours go by in case 
Espinosa abandons his attempt to take possession of the 
ranch.” 


74 


An Errand of Mercy. 

“I don’t think there’ll be much danger of that, but the 
sooner our journey is ended, the sooner we shall have 
help in rescuing Miss Nina.” 

As he spoke, the ranchman pulled his horse around at 
right angles with the course he had been pursuing, and 
set off at full speed, the others following as close behind 
as the abilities of their steeds would permit. 

During the next hour the mad ride was continued 
without drawing rein, and then the ponies were so nearly 
blown that a halt was necessary. 

“We’re all right so far,” Barstow said, as he slipped 
to the ground and loosened his saddle-girth. “The ranch 
can’t be more than five miles away, and the Greasers are 
yet in camp.” 

“What makes you think so ?” Dale asked. 

“Because, before leaving I stampeded the whole drove, 
an’ I’ll guarantee they haven’t been rounded up yet.” 

“In case they find the man we left on the hillside, an’ 
learn from him that he told us where they were bound, 
Espinosa may conclude not to go there.” 

“Don’t fear he’ll tell that yarn, lad. The Greaser chief 
would kill him like a dog if it were known he’d given 
away any of his plans. He’ll hold his tongue when they 
find him.” 

The halt was prolonged only about ten minutes, and 
then Barstow proposed that they mount once more. 

“We must get there before sunrise, an’ I reckon the 
ponies can stand another short stretch,” he said, as he 
vaulted into the saddle. 

The others followed his example, and in a few seconds 


75 


An Errand of Mercy. 

all three were riding among the foothills in the darkness 
where a misstep on the part of their steeds would mean 
an ugly fall, if not death. 

It was yet dark when they arrived at the ranch, and 
the barking of the dogs brought out a sleepy-looking 
Greaser, who seemed very much surprised at seeing them. 

"I'll eat my own head if that fellow isn’t in Espinosa’s 
pay,” the ranchman whispered, as he dismounted, and 
Dale replied in the same cautious tone: 

“Then be careful not to let him hear the news we’ve 
come to bring.” 

“Trust me for that. I havn’t been in this section of 
the country so long that I don’t know when to hold my 
tongue.” Then, in a loud tone, Barstow said : “It strikes 
me that this isn’t the best kind of a time to trade for cat- 
tle, but if we don’t see Gordon now, there won’t be 
another chance very soon, so let’s rout him out.” 

Leaving their horses in charge of the suspicious-look- 
ing Greaser, the three went toward the main building, and 
in a short time were closeted with Mr. Gordon. 

“I am not surprised by the news you bring, gentle- 
men,” he said, when Dale finished his story. “We heard 
last night of the atack on the Morey ranch, and I had an ( 
idea this place would be the next visited.” 

“Are you prepared for them?” Dale asked. 

“With the aid of you three, we can give them a warm 
reception.” 

“It would be better to muzzle that Greaser we saw, 
unless you are willin’ Espinosa should know the full 
strength or weakness of the ranch,” Barstow said. “I’m 


76 An Errand of Mercy. 

bettin’ my head against a prickly pear that he’s on the 
lookout for the devils.” 

“I have had no cause to suspect him ; but we cannot af- 
ford to take chances at such a time, and he shall be closely 
watched,” Mr. Gordon said, as he left the apartment a mo- 
ment to give an order to one of his stockmen. 

The newcomers were liberally supplied with food, the 
inmates of the ranch were aroused, the Mexican put under 
strict surveillance, and every preparation made to give the 
expected visitors a hearty reception, which, as Barstow 
expressed it, “should induce them to stay forever.” 


CHAPTER X. 


A PRISONER. 

When the morning came the inmates of the Gordon 
ranch were ready to meet the famous Mexican outlaw. 
Every precaution had been taken to prevent him from 
suspecting that they had learned of his intended visit, and 
twenty well-armed and resolute men were waiting to 
strike such a blow as would avenge some of the Greaser’s 
victims. 

Dale was the only person who did not feel willing to 
wait a long while in the hope of administering the de- 
served punishment, and he was impatient only because, 
by remaining quietly there, it seemed as if in some way 
they were abandoning Nina to her fate. 

He had urged Mr. Gordon to ride forth with his force 
to meet the murderer, but the ranchman explained the 
folly of such a proceeding. 

The outlaws could readily retreat in case the battle 
turned against them, and might be able to do a great deal 
of damage to the ranch while its rightful protectors were 
absent. 

“The only proper course is to wait here for him,” Mr. 
Gordon said. “Then if he gets a sound whipping, the 
entire party can run him to earth and rescue Miss Morey. 
It would be useless to attempt any other plan.” 


78 


A Prisoner. 


With this assurance, Dale was forced to be content, al- 
though it seemed almost criminal to delay so long while 
she was in the power of the desperado. 

During the forenoon nothing was seen to cause alarm. 

The force which Mr. Gordon had gathered was kept 
under cover, for the purpose was to tempt Espinosa to 
make an attack, rather than frighten him away. 

Barstow took it upon himself to watch over the sus- 
picious-acting servant, and toward noon he reported that 
the fellow had tried to leave the ranch unobserved. 

“Did you lock him up?” Mr. Gordon asked, angrily. 

“No, sir; I’m givin’ him every show, an’ the next time 
he tries to make a break there’ll be one Greaser less in 
this world.” 

At about two o’clock in the afternoon one of the senti- 
nels announced that a body of men were approaching 
from the south. 

Ten minutes later it was reported that a party was 
coming from the north, and in less than half an hour de- 
tachments could be seen advancing from each point of the 
compass. 

“They are tryin’ the same game as when the Morey 
ranch was attacked,” Barstow said, and then his attention 
was attracted to the figure of a man creeping through the 
grass away from the buildings. 

His rifle was at his shoulder in an instant, and when 
the report rang out, the Greaser servant leaped high in 
the air to fall back dead. 

“I reckon he won’t act as Espinosa’s spy any longer,” 
the ranchman said, as he calmly reloaded his weapon. 


A Prisoner. 


79 

Mr. Gordon directed that one of the men ride out and 
drag the body in, lest the outlaw should understand from 
seeing the corpse that his visit was expected, and this had 
hardly been done when the newcomers were just beyond 
rifle shot, waiting for the word to advance. 

Dale searched eagerly for some signs of the captives, 
but none were to be seen. 

The Greaser was too good a captain to thus burden 
himself during a fight, and Eph explained : 

“They’ve left the women an’ men under guard a few 
miles off. If we could get out of this place, it might be 
an easy matter to set them free.” 

“Then you admit that I was right in not wanting to 
remain here until it was too late to leave,” Dale replied. 

“Indeed I don’t do anything of the kind, lad. Them 
beauties have scoured the country for a dozen miles 
around before closin’ in, an’ if we’d waited for a chance 
to attack the camp, the whole crowd would have come at 
us in the open, where we’d have precious little hope of 
anything save dyin’ like men.” 

The Greaser now gave the signal to advance, and as 
his men closed around the ranch, a member of the party, 
waving a white cloth, rode within hailing distance. 

More than one of the stockmen who were concealed in 
the building, insisted that the messenger should be shot 
down, regardless of the flag of truce; but Mr. Gordon 
would not listen to the proposition. 

“I know Espinosa is a murdering villain, but that won’t 
excuse us for killing the man who comes unarmed,” he 
said, and then stepped out to listen to the message. 


8o 


A Prisoner. 


The bearer of the flag lost no time in informing the 
owner of the ranch whom it was who had thus come in 
force, and concluded by promising that the lives of all 
who surrendered at once should be saved. 

As a matter of course there was but one reply to such a 
summons, and Mr. Gordon sent word to the chief of the 
gang that in the future no flag of truce would be re- 
spected. 

“Armed or unarmed, we shall kill the first who ap- 
proaches within range,” he said, “and you will be allowed 
no more than time to ride at your best pace back to the 
villain who sent you.” 

The man wheeled his pony sharply around, sank the 
spurs deep in his flanks, and was off like a shot. 

“The time for fighting has come, boys,” the owner of 
the ranch said, as he took up his station at the heavily- 
barred and shuttered window, through which loopholes 
had been made. We have got ammunition enough, but 
at the same time it isn’t well to waste a cartridge. Re- 
member what will be the fate of those who are so un- 
fortunate as to fall into that rascal’s clutches.” 

There was no reply to this speech, nor was any needed. 

The room was filled with men who had literally taken 
their lives in their hands many times, and a duel to the 
death was not so rare as to cause any show of fear. 

Dale was the only person who did not at least appear 
to be fully at ease, and his agitation came from the 
thoughts of Nina, rather than fear for himself. 

It seemed to him that by remaining at the ranch they 


A Prisoner. 81 

had lost all chance of rescuing her, when liberty just now 
might enable them to effect so much. 

In one of the rooms of the main building were horses 
sufficient to mount the entire party, and these were sad- 
dled and bridled ready for a sortie , in case it should be 
advisable. 

Espinosa's men came down upon the ranch like a whirl- 
wind, evidently believing there was a traitor in the place 
who would devise some means of giving them the ad- 
vantage, but their comrade was lying on his back in the 
open air, all unmindful of the work to be done. 

By this failure in the elaborately-laid plans, the only 
result of the charge was the emptying of half-a-dozen 
saddles, without any injury having been done in turn, and 
the Greasers drew off beyond range once more. 

“They are tryin' to make out what has become of their 
pal,” Barstow said, with a chuckle. “It kinder puzzles 
'em because he hasn’t begun work. At our ranch the 
outer buildings were fired when the first dash was made, 
and the scoundrel who did it got off scot-free.” 

Espinosa did not care to make another attempt im- 
mediately. 

After consulting together a few moments, the entire 
party dismounted, and Mr. Gordon said : 

“They intend to lay low until nightfall, when the 
houses can be burned.” 

“That is if we let them,” one of the party replied. 
“Are we to wait their time, or shall we go after them? 
Every man in this room ought to be good for at least 
three Greasers, an' that gives the odds in our favor.” 


82 


A Prisoner. 


This seemed to voice the sentiments of all, but Mr. 
Gordon was opposed at first to the plan, fearing lest 
Espinosa might be setting some trap for them ; but when 
Dale’s party assured him that the Greasers numbered but 
ninety-three after leaving the Morey ranch, and not less 
than fifteen of them had been killed or disabled, he finally 
gave a reluctant consent. 

“Let us ride close together, and make certain that they 
don’t get between us and the ranch,” he said. “After 
emptying our weapons, it will be better to come back at 
once, for if those scoundrels gain a foothold here, leav- 
ing us on the outside, things will look tough.” 

Each man examined first his weapons and ammunition 
belt, and then his saddle, for on the strength of a girth 
depended the life of the rider. 

Dale and Eph were quite as eager as the others to try 
conclusions immediately, and the former was one of the 
first to mount. 

Two men were to be left behind to guard the build- 
ings, and when Mr. Gordon gave the word, they flung 
open the wide doors. 

Then, from out the house dashed a resolute party at 
full speed, Mr. Gordon and Barstow leading the advance, 
and so rapid were their movements that the shooting 
began before the Greasers were in the saddle. 

Each selected his target, and the enemy fell on every 
hand, but the ranchmen did not escape unharmed. 

Dale saw the horseman next to him reel for an instant 
in the saddle and then fall headlong, while in different 
parts of the ranks were evidences of severe wounds. 


A Prisoner. 83 

Unfortunately, Mr. Gordon’s orders to fall back on the 
buildings after emptying the weapons were unheeded. 

The ranchmen’s blood was up, and they continued the 
fighting, as if delighting in such work. 

All in vain did Mr. Gordon shout to them to beat a 
retreat. The crack of the weapons and the shrill neigh- 
ing of the wounded ponies drowned his words. 

Fully fifteen minutes elapsed before a man thought of 
retiring, and then a retreat was begun only because it 
could be seen that the Greasers were doing their best to 
reach the ranch in advance. 

Now all were bent on the same maneuver, and the re- 
turn was made as rapidly as the charge had been executed. 

Dale was among the last, his horse having been out- 
distanced by the others, but he did not think of danger 
until half way back to the house, when his pony leaped 
forward, and then swerved to and fro. 

The poor beast had been struck by a bullet intended for 
his rider, and before Dale had time to cry out, he fell 
headlong to the ground. 

The shock stunned Dale, and when he recovered con- 
sciousness his companions had disappeared, while one of 
Espinosa’s gang was bending over him. 

He leaped to his feet only to receive a blow from the 
butt of a revolver, which knocked him senseless again, 
and the Greaser threw him over the pommel of his saddle, 
much as if the boy had been a sack of grain. 

Eph had just dismounted, and was looking through one 
of the loopholes when the man carried Dale away at full 
speed. 


84 


A Prisoner. 


The faithful fellow would have rushed out to aid his 
friend, or share his captivity, but the others held him 
back, Mr. Gordon saying, sternly: 

“None but a crazy man would venture there alone. 
You would only be going to your death ; remain here, and 
before nightfall we may whip them. Then will be the 
time to make a rush for your friend.” 


CHAPTER XI. 


WITH THE GREASERS. 

When Dale realized his situation, he was being carried 
at full speed by his captor, the stride of the pony causing 
him almost intolerable pain, while his head hung nearly 
on a level with the rider's feet. 

He could not have struggled, although assured that 
the exertion would result in his release ; his brain seemed 
full to bursting with blood, and everything he gazed upon 
appeared to be of the same sanguinary color. 

The Mexican rode with his prisoner to where the chief 
was directing the movements of his men, and there, 
tumbling the boy off unceremoniously, spoke a few words 
in Spanish. 

Espinosa answered in the same language, and ap- 
parently gave some order to the man who had brought in 
the captive, for the fellow dismounted, and deftly fastened 
Dale's hands with his lariat, as he said, in English : : 

“You can walk now, I reckon, for I don't count on 
making the horse carry two. Keep pace, or you’ll have 
an opportunity of trying the strength of this rawhide.” 

Not until later did Dale understand the meaning of the 
words. 

“Where are you going to take me?” he asked. 

“Hold your tongue, an' you'll soon find out,” the man 


86 


With the Greasers. 


replied, insolently, as he remounted. “Now come, an* 
remember that it won’t be comfortable to hang back.” 

As he spoke he urged the pony forward, and Dale dis- 
covered that he was to be led at the end of the lariat. 

In case he fell, the rawhide would serve to drag him, 
the Greaser having taken a turn around the pommel of 
the saddle, and the boy knew full well that his captor 
would like no better sport than to haul him along the 
ground two or three miles. 

Why he had been made a prisoner instead of being 
killed instantly was more than he could imagine; but it 
was reasonable to suppose that Espinosa’s cutthroats 
knew as much about torture as the most vengeful In- 
dian. 

The Greaser started suddenly, hoping to throw the boy 
down at once; but Dale was on his guard, and before 
the long length of the rawhide had straightened he was 
running at full speed. 

“I can’t expect to keep pace with that pony,” he said to 
himself, “but I’ll hold out as long as possible.” 

He was hopeful, although a prisoner in the hands of 
those who knew no mercy. 

It was certain that Eph and Barstow, even though Mr. 
Gordon’s following refused to lend assistance, would do 
all in their power to rescue him, and he must keep all his 
faculties sharpened to take advantage of the first oppor- 
tunity to escape. 

If his . captor should succeed in doing him grievous 
injury, the inability to aid himself might prevent his 


With the Greasers. 87 

friends from accomplishing anything, and he mentally 
braced himself for the long struggle. 

The Greaser urged his pony forward at the rate of 
about six miles an hour, and Dale might have kept pace 
with him readily for a short distance had his hands been 
free, but thus hampered in his movements it required 
every effort to remain on his feet. 

During the first ten minutes he was jerked violently 
forward half a dozen times, but managed to prevent him- 
self from falling headlong, and then the Greaser 
pulled up. 

Dale hoped the painful journey had come to an end, 
but it seemed that his captor was only trying to get more 
enjoyment out of what he considered sport. 

“I will give you a chance to breathe,” he said, with a 
malicious grin, “for when we start again you shall see 
how fast the pony can travel.” 

“If you weren’t a coward, you’d give me a fair chance,” 
Dale replied, speaking with difficulty, owing to his rapid 
breathing. 

“What do you want?” 

“Put the lariat around my waist, and I can keep on my 
feet.” 

“It makes little difference to me whether you are on 
your head or your heels when we strike the camp.” 

The halt lasted three or four minutes, and then the 
Greaser started the pony suddenly again ; but, as before, 
Dale was on his guard. 

It was impossible, however, that he could keep pace 
with the horse when the animal was forced to his best 


88 With the Greasers. 

speed, and, despite all his efforts, he was thrown head- 
long. 

In falling, he contrived to grasp the lariat with both 
hands, and thus was able to hold the strain from coming 
directly on his wrists as he was pulled violently over the 
rough surface. 

It was evident that the Greaser did not wish to kill his 
prisoner outright, for, after dragging Dale fifty or sixty 
yards, he reined in his horse, thus allowing the boy to 
regain his footing. His face and hands were bleeding 
from the many cuts and scratches, while his clothing was 
almost in tatters ; but he made no complaint. 

To show signs of suffering at such a moment would be 
to please his captor, and the thought of this was sufficient 
to keep him silent. 

The Greaser waited an instant, as if hoping to hear 
some plea for mercy, and then started on once more, this 
time riding at such a pace as Dale could follow without 
much difficulty. 

Half-an-hour later the two arrived at the temporary 
encampment, where the prisoners from the Morey ranch 
were guarded by six or eight men, each one disabled by 
some wound received during the fight on the hillside. 

Weary and nearly exhausted though Dale was, he 
thought of the young girl he had been trying to save 
rather than of his own condition, and, while the Greaser 
bound him to one of the other captives, he searched the 
place with his eyes. 

It was not many minutes before he saw that for which 
he sought. 


With the Greasers. 


89 


A short distance away, half-hidden by the high saddle 
against which she was half-leaning, half-reclining, was 
the poor girl, her attitude expressive of the deep sorrow 
which had come upon her. 

Dale could see a portion of her face, and thought he 
had never looked upon features so beautiful, tear-stained 
and drawn with mental suffering though they were. 

Not for some time after the new prisoner was brought 
in did she appear to be conscious of his presence, and 
then the boy’s bleeding face, irritated by swarms of flies 
and gnats, aroused her sympathy. 

Filling a pot with water from the stream near by, she 
approached Dale, saying : 

“Are you badly wounded?” 

“No, indeed, thank you. That Greaser dragged me 
quite a distance, and I got scratched considerably, that’s 
all.” 

“Where were you taken prisoner?” 

“Near the Gordon ranch.” 

“Have the fiends destroyed that also?” 

“They tried to, but we managed to give the alarm in 
time.” 

“What did you know about it ?” 

“One of the fellows who were wounded while we were 
fighting on the hillside was induced to tell us Espinosa’s 
plans.” 

“Were you among the brave men who held these rob- 
bers in check so long?” Nina cried, excitedly, and began 
washing the blood from Dale’s face as if to distinguish 
more clearly his features. 


90 


With the Greasers. 


“I don’t know that I was so very brave, but I was one 
of the party,” Dale replied, feeling conscious that but for 
the dust and blood on his face Nina could see his blushes. 

“How large was your force?” 

“Eph Minot and I made up the entire army until we 
got Barstow free, and then we had a full regiment of 
three,” Dale said, assuming a careless tone which was 
far from natural. 

“Did you two attempt to attack this band of robbers 
alone ?” 

“We did, for a fact, and I think it was a pretty good 
try, by the looks of these fellows with bandages.” 

“There were very many wounded, and Espinosa swore 
that he would burn at the stake those who had dared to 
attack him.” 

“I don’t reckon the scoundrel knows who we are, there- 
fore I can count on being treated like those who were 
captured at your home.” 

Nina shuddered at the thought of the torture to which 
the poor wretches were doomed, for she had heard Espi- 
nosa’s plans ; but she did not repeat them, for in such a 
case ignorance was bliss as compared with the anticipa- 
tion which the prisoners would suffer if the truth were 
made known. 

“How did you chance to make the attack?” she asked, 
after a brief pause. 

“In the hope of rescuing you,” Dale replied, and then 
he told the story of the past few days, beginning with 
the murder of his father, and all the incidents down to 
the time of his capture. 


With the Greasers. 


91 


While he was talking, Nina had been dressing his 
wounds as well as possible with the limited means at her 
disposal, and when the narrative was concluded she bent 
over and kissed one of his lacerated hands as a means of 
showing her gratitude. 

The touch of her lips thrilled Dale as a mild applica- 
tion of electricity might have done, and his face reddened 
with pleasure. 

“You are very brave,” she said, in a low tone. 

“Any one would be when he knew you were in danger,” 
was the gallant reply, and then, as if fearing he had 
spoken too plainly, the boy asked : 

“How does it happen that you are free to move about 
the camp ?” 

Now it was Nina’s turn to blush. 

“Espinosa swears that I shall be his wife, and thinks I 
may be a more willing victim if he allows me a certain 
amount of freedom.” 

“And you will consent?” 

“I? A hundred deaths would be preferable, and I 
have the means of thwarting him.” 

“How?” 

“With this,” and the young girl drew from the bosom 
of her dress a small revolver. “I found it among the 
things which were stolen from my home. When there 
is no longer any hope of rescue, I shall use it.” 

“And you would be doing right,” Dale replied, in a 
low tone, much as one uses when speaking in the pres- 
ence of the dead. “I do not think you should despair, 
however. Eph and Barstcw will follow these devils as 


92 


With the Greasers. 


soon as it is possible to leave the Gordon ranch, and 
there ought to be men enough there to make up a large 
force. Each engagement now weakens Espinosa’s gang 
to a certain degree, and if he can be prevented from a 
rapid retreat, all must soon be well.” 

“Heaven grant it may be so, but I cannot feel there is 
any good reason for hope.” 

“Do you think it would be possible for you to cut this 
rawhide after dark ?” 

“I will try, and also search for a weapon with which 
you can defend yourself when the supreme moment 
comes; but I am closely watched, despite my apparent 
freedom, therefore it may be some time before anything 
can be done.” 


CHAPTER XII. 


ESPINOSA. 

Nina hurried away from Dale after making the 
promise, for the sentinels were regarding her with any- 
thing rather than friendly glances, and it was in the high- 
est degree necessary to avert suspicion. 

Already had she talked too long with the prisoner, but 
to Dale it seemed as if time had never flown so fast be- 
fore, and when she walked away his thoughts were re- 
garding her loveliness of face and form rather than his 
own imminent danger. 

Thanks to her ministrations, he was not suffering much 
bodily discomfort save that caused by the bonds, and it 
was possible to lessen this somewhat by moving in unison 
with his fellow-prisoner. 

The man to whom he was bound was, as a matter of 
course, one of the prisoners from the Morey ranch, and 
when Nina left them he said: 

“It has been a world of comfort to the poor girl, this 
seeing you, though Td rather she missed the satisfaction 
of knowing what was being done for her, an’ you was 
safe out of Espinosa’s clutches.” 

“I’m willing to admit that I had rather be somewhere 
else, but it is well worth considerable suffering to have 
known her.” 


94 Espinosa. 

“It’s easy to see that you haven’t heard much about 
this devil’s imp. It’s more than suffering we shall know 
before biddin’ him good-by. Torture’s the word — torture 
to the death.” 

“But surely, man, we ought to get out of here. Four 
of us could do work among this disabled gang if Miss 
Nina should succeed in getting us free.” 

“There’s no hope of that. She tried when you were 
having a set-to on the hill, but some of the gang are on 
watch all the time. Then again, suppose she did do it, 
what would we amount to without weapons ?” 

Dale was forced to admit that a general delivery of 
the prisoners was an impossibility under the circum- 
stances, even though they were guarded only by wounded 
men ; but he had not lost hope of being rescued. 

“Eph will never stop trying so long as he knows I’m 
alive.” 

“And you can count on Barstow as well.” 

“Then let us make up our minds that we shall soon be 
in condition to square accounts.” 

“I’m afraid the time is too short. Espinosa will never 
take us with him if he reckons on makin’ the trip to 
Southern California, an’ we can figure on bein’ taken in 
hand by the devils between now an’ sunrise.” 

“Unless they are completely wiped out by those who 
are defending the Gordon ranch.” 

“Don’t build too much on that, stranger, for these 
Greasers never stand up long enough for such a thing to 
happen. If they find they’re gettin’ the worst of it the 


Espinosa. 95 

whole gang will turn tail. Here comes some of the imps, 
an’ I allow the fight is over.” 

Turning his head slightly, Dale could see half a dozen 
horsemen coming into camp as if in full flight, and a 
moment later the sentinels were passing to and fro 
rapidly making preparations for defense. 

“They have been whipped !” Dale cried, excitedly, “and 
our friends are in pursuit!” 

This seemed a reasonable conjecture, more especially 
when other members of the gang rode into the camp with 
panting ponies as if the chase had been sharp. 

“That’s Espinosa, the fellow on the spotted horse,” the 
ranchman said, as the leader dismounted. “Isn’t he a 
cheerful-lookin’ customer ?” 

Dale gazed long and earnestly at the murderer of his 
father, trying to imprint the fellow’s features on his mind, 
that he might recognize him in the future. 

The celebrated outlaw was not a man who would at- 
tract much attention in a crowd. 

He was small of stature, like the majority of Mexicans, 
with sharp features, a swarthy complexion, and a long 
scar on his face, which told of the duel with knives when 
the man had stood single-handed against three antagon- 
ists, killing all in less than ten minutes. 

“He ain’t a coward if he is a cur,” the ranchman said, 
noticing that Dale was regarding the bandit eagerly. 
“When he came out of the duel it is said he was cut up 
like a piece of beef, but before the wound healed he killed 
an American who called to see him.” 


“What was that for?” 


96 Espinosa. 

“He claimed to have done it for sport. He had been 
in the house so long that he was afraid of getting out of 
practice unless something of the kind was done.” 

“Wasn’t he arrested?” 

“I never heard of anything bein’ done. The Mexican 
authorities seemed to be afraid of him, an’ they have 
good cause.” 

“No matter how much of a terror he is to others, the 
time shall come when I will square accounts, and then 
his career will be cut short.” 

“Better men than you have tried to settle matters with 
that imp of Satan, and turned up their toes before ac- 
complishing very much.” 

“It makes no difference. I will hunt him down until 
one or the other of us goes under.” 

“I like your pluck, my boy, but just now you are in his 
power, and the chances of getting free look mighty slim 
about this time.” 

Dale made no reply, for at this moment the Greaser 
went toward Nina, doffing his sombrero gallantly, and 
forcing her to listen to his words. 

The girl tried to avoid him, but in vain, and Dale was 
almost beside himself with rage as he saw the expression 
of anxiety and fear on her face. 

It was evident that the outlaws feared an immediate 
attack, for as soon as Espinosa finished whatever he had 
to say to Nina, he gave certain orders which resulted in a 
different formation of the camp. 

The prisoners, including Nina, were placed very near 
each other, with the horses in a circle around them. 


97 


Espinosa. 

The men, shielding themselves behind the ponies, as- 
sumed an attitude of defense, while two or three of their 
number scouted about to give warning of the enemy’s ap- 
proach. 

Nina was standing within a few feet of Dale, and 
whenever the chief turned his attention in a different 
direction she whispered words of cheer. 

“They must fear that the men from Gordon’s ranch are 
coming.” 

“Yes,” he replied. “They got the worst of the battle, 
and it isn’t likely white people would remain inactive 
while they know there are so many prisoners here.” 

“God grant they may be successful !” 

To this prayer Dale breathed a fervent “Amen,” and 
the two waited in anxious suspense for the first sounds 
betokening the coming of the rescuers. 

In this they were disappointed. 

One by one the moments passed until an hour had 
elapsed, and nothing was heard save the hum of conver- 
sation in the encampment. 

“Can it be possible they intend to leave us to our fate ?” 
Nina whispered, and Dale replied : 

“That doesn’t seem possible, yet they should have been 
here a long wdiile ago unless the pursuit was abandoned.” 

At this moment Espinosa chanced to turn toward the 
prisoner whom he intended should be his wife, and saw 
her talking to Dale. 

A look of rage passed over his face, as he came for- 
ward, and said, sternly: 

“I shall regret being forced to deprive you of the liberty 


98 Espinosa. 

of the camp, Nina, but it must be done if you persist in 
holding any communication with the prisoners. Remain 
where I told you. Who is this fellow ?” 

“A boy I hauled in, captain,” one of the men cried, 
with a laugh. “I thought it might be convenient to keep 
him a while, and, besides, it was a clear saving of a cart- 
ridge. He is the one I brought to you on the plain.” 

“I remember,” Espinosa replied, as he came nearer 
Dale and gazed at him, searchingly. “Who are you ?” 

“The son of the prospector you murdered in Silver 
City,” Dale said, fearlessly, as he looked his captor 
squarely in the eyes. 

Again the angry flush passed over Espinosa’s face, and 
he cried sharply : 

“You speak like one who is eager to die; do not be 
impatient, for that time shall come to-night, and we will 
hope you have nerve enough to live until my men get 
tired of the sport.” 

“I have heard that you prefer murdering those who are 
defenseless rather than meeting a man on equal terms.” 

“So you fear the torture, and try to provoke me into 
killing you quickly ! How did you come here ?” 

“Your fellow just told you.” 

“Do you live at the Gordon ranch?” 

“I never saw the place until last night.” 

“What are you doing here?” 

“I came to hunt you down, and if you don’t succeed in 
wiping me out before morning, I shall live to wipe you 
out.” 

Nina tried to prevent Dale from speaking so boldly by 


99 


Espinosa. 

both gestures and looks, but he gave no heed to the sig- 
nals. It was probable the Greaser would murder him, 
but he intended to speak without fear. 

The declaration appeared to please Espinosa mightily. 
He laughed heartily, and asked: 

“Well, what do you propose doing? You have not 
only hunted me down, but found me. Is that all you 
wish ?” 

“I am powerless now, but my turn will come, Espinosa. 
You shall not escape the penalty for your crimes.” 

“That sounds very well, Gringo, but I intend to let my 
brave fellows enjoy themselves with you this evening, 
and when they have finished there will be no ‘turn’ for 
you.” 

“I shall be avenged.” 

Dale spoke so positively that the Greaser fancied there 
must be a hidden meaning in the words, and he asked, 
sharply : 

“So you are expecting your friends will come?” 

“I expect nothing now, but I know your time is short.” 

“That may be, but I shall die with my boots on when 
the end comes, and you won’t have that satisfaction. 
Pedro!” 

“Yes, captain,” the man replied, as he came forward. 

“This is your prisoner. See to it that he furnishes you 
some sport to-night. Do not play with him too long, for 
the breath must be out of his carcass before sunrise.” 

“Are we to have only one, captain ?” 

“You may take all the men. There will be time 


ioo Espinosa, 

enough to decide who shall have the women when we are 
at the ranch.” 

“When may we begin?” 

“At sunset.” 

The fellow walked away to tell the news to his com- 
panions, and Espinosa approached Nina. 

“You have made nothing by your bold talk,” the man 
to whom Dale was bound said in a whisper, “and we are 
to suffer for the foolishness. There is no chance for us 
now, and these Greasers are worse than Indians when it 
comes to torturing a man.” 


CHAPTER XIII. 


A NIGHT ATTACK. 

Dale made no reply to the reproaches of his fellow- 
prisoner. 

He knew perfectly well that it was impossible to effect 
anything by bearding the Mexican lion in his den, but 
yet he would not have had a single word unspoken. 

If he were to die at sunset he had at least told the out- 
law some wholesome truths, and, whether his prophecy 
came true or not, it would remain in the fellow’s mind, 
causing him a certain amount of mental discomfort. 

The rank and file of the marauding band hailed with 
loud cries of delight the information that the male prison- 
ers were to be delivered up to them, and, with a refine- 
ment of cruelty, they at once set about making prepara- 
tions for the torture in such a manner that the unhappy 
men could not fail to see every movement. 

Espinosa remained at some distance from his band with 
Nina, and the fact that he forced the girl to listen to his 
words caused Dale more distress of mind than did the 
work of the men. 

“There is a chance the force from Gordon’s ranch will 
come in time to prevent these devils from carrying out 
their threats,” he said, after a long pause, to his com- 
panion, and the latter replied in a hopeless tone : 


102 


A Night Attack. 


“Don’t build on anything of that kind. Now it is 
known Espinosa is here, the stockmen will stay mighty 
snug, an’ we must make up our minds to taste of such a 
death as only these villains know how to bring about.” 

“A man can die but once.” 

“You are right, but to-night it will be many hours be- 
fore the breath leaves our bodies, and an ordinary death 
is as nothing compared with what we shall suffer.” 

“How much longer would you have been allowed to live 
if I had held my tongue?” 

“Perhaps the time would have come just as soon, but 
as long as a man is sound of limb he always hopes that 
something will turn up in his favor,” the prisoner replied, 
listlessly. “I can’t blame you, for your sufferings are 
bound to be worse than ours, if these imps know how to 
increase them. We are doomed, and it isn’t right to lay 
the fault on any one who is forced to suffer with us.” 

This resignation was sufficient to reduce Dale to silence 
once more, and he watched the ominous preparations with 
a certain fascination which could not be resisted. 

After a mournful half-hour, Espinosa was called to the 
outer edge of the encampment by one of the scouts who 
had just returned, and Nina took advantage of the op- 
portunity to approach the unhappy prisoners. 

“It is selfish of me to keep this when you need it so 
much more than I ever can,” she said, as once again she 
pressed her lips on Dale’s hand, and motioned toward the 
bosom of her dress, where the revolver was hidden. “I 
know something of what they will do with you, and shall 
give you the means of preventing the torture. 


103 


A Night Attack. 

“Don’t do anything of the kind,” Dale replied, quickly. 
“Espinosa will understand who gave us the weapon, and 
you will be made to suffer. They cannot kill us but once, 
and we should have manhood enough to bear the suffer- 
ing. Do not despair after we are gone, for I am certain 
Eph and Barstow will find some means of visiting the 
camp in the hope of saving us all.” 

It was necessary to bring the conversation to an abrupt 
conclusion, for the outlaw chief was returning, and both 
Nina and Dale knew what would be the result in case he 
saw them speaking together. 

During the next hour nothing occurred to break the 
suspense of those who were so very near a painful death. 

The men had made their preparations with a cruel os- 
tentation, and were now seated around the stakes awaiting 
the time when the “festivities” were to begin. 

“They are goin’ to use us as targets,” Dale’s com- 
panion said,- as he saw the Greasers cleaning their 
weapons. “It will be a trial of skill, and he who comes 
the nearest without hitting a vital point is the winner.” 

“Then we have some hope of dying quickly.” 

“Don’t count on that. They are good shots, and not 
one will make the mistake of killing us outright. Such 
a thing would be a disgrace, and there is no chance of a 
mistake of the kind.” 

Slowly, but yet rapidly, the moments passed. 

Espinosa kept Nina where it was impossible for her to 
as much as see her companions in misery, and they 
counted the seconds which intervened between them and 
death. 


104 


A Night Attack. 

The sun sank lower and lower in the heavens, until he 
touched the line of the horizon, and the men came toward 
their intended victims. 

“I reckon there’s no need of waitin’ any longer, cap- 
tain,” the fellow who had brought Dale into camp said. 
“The boys are afraid we sha’n’t have time to do the work 
in proper shape.” 

“Very well, begin as soon as you choose, but take care 
that the business can be seen from this portion of the en- 
campment.” 

Dale looked toward Nina. 

She was bidding him a mute good-by. 

The Greasers began to untie the doomed prisoners, but 
before the lariats could be cast off a shot was heard from 
the edge of the camp, and an instant later everything was 
in confusion. 

“Hurrah!” Dale shouted. “Our friends have come, 
and these curs may not have time to play their game 1” 

Espinosa cocked his revolver, and aimed it at the boy, 
but before it could be discharged Nina struck his arm, 
and the bullet whistled through the air many feet above 
the intended victim’s head. 

Throwing the girl from him, the man was about to 
take deliberate aim once more, when from around a 
clump of bushes appeared a band of horsemen, each firing 
with marvelous accuracy into the ranks of the Greasers, 
and the chief was forced to forego his intentions in order 
to hold his men in position. 

It seemed as if the alarm had hardly been given before 


A Night Attack, 105 

Espinosa’s men were fighting for their lives, and in the 
turmoil and confusion Nina ran toward Dale. 

‘'Now I can set you free!” she said, as she began 
loosening the bonds. “It is the only chance you will have 
for escape.” 

“We don’t ask anything better,” Dale replied, as one 
hand was freed. “I can ride a pony out of here, pro- 
viding you will come with me.” 

“Two would be captured where one can escape,” she 
said, watching the Greasers, as she worked at the tough 
knots in the lariat. 

“I won’t leave you here in his power.” 

“You must. By gaining your freedom now it will be 
possible to aid me, but all is lost if you remain.” 

“It is better to die together, than for me to leave you 
with that cutthroat.” 

“We should die, and one, perhaps both, may be saved 
if you continue in the chase. Remember that I am wait- 
ing for you, and come with a sufficient force to release 
me.” 

“It’s only a question of bein’ killed,” Dale’s companion 
muttered, as Nina assisted him at the same time she did 
Dale. “What’s the use of gettin’ riddled with bullets 
when the fight may turn in our favor.” 

“Anything is better than taking chances of the tor- 
ture,” Dale replied, as his arms were free, and he finished 
the work by releasing his lower limbs. “If you will trust 
yourself to me, Miss Nina, I’ll take you through the lines 
of this crowd.” 

“It is better that one should escape than both be killed,” 


106 A Night Attack. 

she replied, “and it is not possible a pony carrying two 
could get out of range before they would hit him. I de- 
pend upon you to set me free, but this is not the time.” 

“I can’t go while you are ” 

“Don’t argue now when every moment is precious. If 
you have any regard for me do as I wish.” 

She could have used no argument which would have 
had greater weight with Dale. 

Terrible as it seemed to leave her in Espinosa’s power, 
he felt that he must go, but it was with the determina- 
tion that the fight should not be ended until Nina had 
been set free. 

“I can’t get you a weapon,” she said, as he stood un- 
shackled an instant before her. “Will you take my re- 
volver?” 

“No ; keep that until the last, and I pray that you may 
never have reason to use it.” 

“There are many times when death becomes almost a 
pleasure. Do not linger here, for if Espinosa comes this 
way he will kill you.” 

Dale took the brave girl’s head in his hands, kissed her 
on the cheek, and then, with a warm pressure of the hand, 
said: 

“I am ready now, and shall come back, if only to die 
with you.” 

“We will both try to live,” she whispered, and then, 
turning to Dale’s companion, asked : “Don’t you intend 
to go ?” 

“I’d rather take the chances here than attempt to ride 
through the lines where death is certain.” 


A Night Attack. 107 

“It may be he is wiser than I,” Dale said, as, crouching 
low to prevent the Greasers from seeing him, he made his 
way toward one of the ponies. “You will see me again 
soon, if possible, but whatever happens, remember that I 
shall never be very far away.” 

The fighting had now become hot, and in order to make 
themselves understood above the rattle of the musketry it 
was necessary for the prisoners to speak very loudly. 

As to who was getting the better of the battle it would 
have been impossible to say. 

The Greasers appeared to be holding their own, while 
the attacking party showed no signs of wavering. 

Dale’s intention was to ride out of the encampment 
from the rear, where only one man stood guard, and to 
this end he hesitated sufficiently to select a pony which 
gave promise of speed. 

It was now a question of getting past the danger point 
in the shortest possible time, and the question of horse- 
flesh meant life or death. 

Hobbled a few yards away was a dun-colored mustang 
who looked fit to run for the lives of all, and this ani- 
mal Dale selected for the venture. 

There was no time to saddle him, even had everything 
been at hand. 

A bridle lay nearby on the ground, and this the boy 
seized, putting it in place on the pony in a twinkling ; but, 
rapidly as he worked, his movements did not escape the 
notice of some of the gang. 

“Look out, there! The prisoners are leaving!” one of 


108 A Night Attack. 

the Greasers shouted, and the words had but just been 
spoken when Dale was on the pony’s back. 

Striking the steed a vigorous blow, he bounded off at 
full speed, followed by a perfect shower of bullets sent 
at short range. 

Nina expected each second to see him fall, but he re- 
tained his seat, and, before one could have counted 
twenty, had disappeared from view behind the foliage 
which marked the northern boundary of the camp. 


CHAPTER XIV. 


i 

IN RETREAT. 

The boy who was making his escape had quite as much 
to fear from friends as from foes. 

In the darkness there was every reason to fear that 
those who were leading the attack would open fire when 
he came within range, believing him to be one of the 
enemy, and, owing to the tumult and excitement, it might 
be a difficult matter to make them understand who he was. 

Instead of riding boldly out among the assaulting 
party, he made a long detour in order to approach from 
the rear, and by this maneuver came directly upon Eph, 
who had fallen back to get a fresh supply of cartridges. 

“Halt ! and up with your hands ! Quick !” he shouted, 
as Dale emerged from the gloom. 

“Don’t you know me, Eph ?” the boy cried, instinctively 
cowering before the leveled rifle. 

Eph threw his gun to the ground, and springing to the 
pony’s side caught Dale around the waist, literally pulling 
him down. 

The warmth. of his greeting attested to the anxiety he 
had felt regarding his friend’s safety, and he was so ex- 
cited that several seconds elapsed before the honest fel- 
low could speak. 

Then he asked, releasing his hold sufficiently to allow 


no In Retreat. 

Dale to regain the breath which had nearly been squeezed 
from his body: 

“How did you manage to give them devils the slip?” 

“Nina did it. She’s a jewel, Eph, and I had rather be 
killed fighting twice over than let that murderer carry 
her away.” 

“I don’t reckon he’ll have the chance. We are crowd- 
ing his gang mighty hard just now.” 

“What are you doing out here ?” 

“Getting cartridges.” 

“Can you find a rifle for me ?” 

“There may be a spare one at the front, for half a dozen 
poor fellows have got through with theirs.” 

“Come on! We mustn’t stop here talking, for every 
weapon counts now !” 

Five minutes later the two were in the midst of the as- 
sailants, and Dale was receiving the congratulations of 
those whose acquaintance he had made at the ranch. 

“There is plenty of work to be done here, my boy, so 
set about it at once,” Mr. Gordon said, as Dale took a rifle 
from the side of a dead man. “Can you give us any in- 
formation as to matters in the camp?” 

Dale explained the general arrangements, but, as a 
matter of course, was unable to say how the Greasers 
were faring. 

There was no further opportunity to ask or answer 
questions. 

The enemy had begun a sortie, and every weapon was 
necessary to check the advance. 


In Retreat. 


hi 


It would be impossible to describe the battle, which 
continued two hours longer. 

Even those who were engaged had very little idea of 
what was happening save in their own immediate vicinity, 
owing to the darkness, and it was necessary each side 
should keep in close order to prevent the mistake of firing 
upon a friend. 

At the end of this time the reports of the Greasers' 
weapons grew less frequent, and Mr. Gordon passed the 
word for all hands to be on the alert. 

“They’ve got some deviltry on foot, and reckon to take 
us by surprise,” he said. “Don’t fire again until they 
come to close quarters. Barstow, ride to the rear in case 
they are moving around that way !” 

There was almost an absolute cessation of hostilities 
during the next ten minutes, and then the rapid footfalls 
of horses told that the enemy was riding rapidly toward 
the south. 

Espinosa had chosen his course in such a manner that 
he was out of range immediately after quitting the camp, 
and it was useless to send a volley after him. 

“The devils are in full retreat,” Mr. Gordon shouted. 
“Mount at once ! Dale, Eph, and Barstow are to visit the 
camp in order to learn if any prisoners have been left be- 
hind, and the others will take to the trail ! It is now a 
question of horseflesh, for unless we overtake Espinosa 
before daybreak we may as well turn toward home.” 

The order regarding himself was not received with any 
degree of pleasure by Dale. 

He felt that he should have been allowed to remain in 


112 


In Retreat. 


the front rank of the pursuers, because it seemed as if 
his interest in Nina was greatest, but yet he did not hesi- 
tate to obey. 

Each man sprang upon the pony nearest at hand, and 
as the main body rode out over the plain with a mighty 
rush, the three appointed to search for prisoners went to- 
ward the camp. 

“Look out for yourselves !” Barstow cried, as they ap- 
proached the place just vacated by the Greasers. “There’s 
no telling how many of the imps have ridden away, and 
we may have a hot reception !” 

A deep silence prevailed as the three entered the en- 
campment, and picked their way among the lifeless 
bodies with which the ground appeared to be strewn. 

The embers of the camp-fire were still glowing, and by 
aid of these Eph soon lighted a torch which served to 
illumine the gruesome scene. 

No less than twenty corpses could be counted, but, un- 
fortunately, they were not all those of the enemy. 

Dale nearly stumbled over one whose nose and ears 
had first been cut off before the merciful bullet was sent 
crashing into the skull, and in the mutilated features he 
recognized the prisoner who had refused to accompany 
him on the flight. 

“Poor fellow! He thought it was too dangerous to 
attempt an escape, and waited for certain and terrible 
death!” 

Barstow found the remainder of the male prisoners 
taken from the Morey ranch, all disfigured in every man- 
ner suggested by the fiendishness of the Greasers. 


In Retreat, 


“3 


The unfortunate men had been left behind, but even in 
the short interval when the fighting had ceased the brutal 
outlaws found time to torture them to death. 

Faint and sick at heart Dale searched, fearing lest he 
should find the remains of Nina, but in this he was hap- 
pily disappointed, although it remained an open question 
as to whether she would not be better off even to taste of 
the torture, providing death came quickly, than be car- 
ried away by those who knew no mercy. 

None of the female prisoners had been killed, and it 
was not difficult to fancy why they had been forced to ac- 
company the band. 

“There’s no use in stayin’ here any longer,” Barstow 
said, as he recognized the last one of his former com- 
rades. “We can’t stop to bury the poor fellows, for the 
living need us most just now.” 

“Can w r e follow the trail in the darkness?” Dale asked. 

“That’s what we must try to do, but if it isn’t to be 
done there’s nothing left but halt till morning.” 

“And that will allow the villains to leave us very far 
behind,” Dale replied, disconsolately. 

“What can’t be cured must be endured, my boy. The 
trail will show up plain enough after sunrise, and we’ll 
keep on it even if it take us to Espinosa’s ranch.” 

“What a terrible thing for Nina!” 

“She won’t come to any harm while the devils are 
pressed as closely as they will be so long as Bill Gordon 
is behind them.” 

“But he said it would be no use to follow after to- 
morrow.” 


In Retreat. 


1 14 

“Then we three must go it alone. ,, 

While this conversation was being carried on the little 
party had mounted, and Barstow gave the word to start. 

“I reckon I’ve had more experience in sich work than 
either of you fellows, so I’d better keep a short distance 
in advance. Don’t try for speed, because the trail once 
lost might require a long time in the finding.” 

During the hour which followed the pursuers rode at 
a rapid pace without drawing rein, and then it was neces- 
sary to halt in order to allow the ponies a breathing spell. 

“So far there hasn’t been much trouble in keeping track 
of the Greasers, an’ I reckon we’re gettin’ along as fast 
as Gordon’s men,” Barstow said, as he dismounted, 
loosened the saddle-girths, and examined carefully the 
trail. 

“How long since they passed?” Eph asked. 

“Not more’n an hour, accordin’ to my way of thinking. 
If nothin’ busts, we oughter be alongside by sunrise, for I 
allow we’re makin’ the best time.” 

Dale had no questions to ask. 

All his thoughts were centered on the hoped-for end 
of the chase, and every moment spent in the halt seemed 
like just so much time wasted. 

He understood, however, that it was not possible to 
push ahead constantly, save at the expense of winding 
the ponies, and curbed his impatience as best he might 
until Barstow gave the word to mount. 

“If we don’t push ’em too hard, the hosses oughter hold 
out till mornin’,” he said, as he leaped into the saddle. 


In Retreat. 


ii5 

“We’ll ease up whenever there’s a chance, an’, by stoppin’ 
at Howland’s, get fresh ones.” 

“Is it some ranch you speak of?” Dale asked. 

“Yes, the biggest in this section of the country.” 

“Won’t Espinosa make an attack there?” 

“I don’t reckon he’ll care to do anything of the kind, 
knowin’ we’re close behind. Most likely he’ll swing 
around to the east over the foothills, where there’d be a 
chance of makin’ a stand in case the ponies was winded.” 

Once more the advance was continued in silence, and 
the pace was not slackened to any appreciable extent until 
sunrise, when the men from Gordon’s ranch were seen 
halted by the side of a small stream preparing break- 
fast. 

“Their hossflesh appears to be in bad condition,” Bar- 
stow said, as he gazed at the jaded animals. “There ain’t 
much chance of them fellers followin’ the trail before sun- 
set.” 

“And in the meantime the Greasers are getting further 
and further away,” Dale replied, mournfully. 

“I ain’t so certain of that. Ponies are ponies, an’ you 
, can’t expect the best of ’em to travel forever. Most 
likely Espinosa’s imps are haltin’ this very minute.” 

The three were in the encampment by the time Bar- 
stow ceased speaking, and Mr. Gordon at once inquired 
as to what had been seen at the Greasers’ last halting 
place. 

Dale gave the necessary information, and concluded by 
asking : 

“How long do you intend to remain here?” 


n6 


In Retreat. 


“Till the ponies get their wind, say late this evening, 
when we’ll strike back again.” 

“Do you mean to give up the chase?” Dale asked, in 
dismay. 

“There’s nothing else to be done. The Greasers have 
got a start they’ll have no trouble to keep, and we couldn’t 
overhaul them this side of Espinosa’s ranch.” 

“But the poor prisoners ! What will become of them?” 

“It’s tough, I know, but we’ve got no sight to do them 
any good now, and there’s nothing left but to take the 
back trail,” Mr. Gordon replied, in a tone which showed 
that he had fully made up his mind, therefore it would 
be useless to prolong the painful conversation. 


CHAPTER XV. 


howland’s. 

Dale was nearly frantic at the thought that these men 
were to abandon the chase so soon. 

He had felt confident Mr. Gordon would continue on 
the trail for two or three days at least before declaring 
himself beaten, and to return when it seemed as if the 
hunt had but fairly begun was a grievous disappoint- 
ment. 

Dismounting in a mechanical sort of way, he hobbled 
his pony where the grass was thickest, and wandered 
down to the stream to think over the matter alone. 

Barstow, who knew exactly what was in the boy’s mind, 
followed him, and said, when they were so far from the 
others that the conversation could not be overheard : 

“It seems tough, I’ll allow, lad, but there’s sound com- 
mon sense in what Gordon says.” 

“That may be, but there’s precious little humanity in 
such a decision.” 

“There’s where you’re lookin’ at the matter in a wrong 
light. The Greasers have got as good, if not better, 
ponies than we, an’, barrin’ accidents, I don’t see any 
chance to overhaul them this side of Espinosa’s ranch. 
While any one of these men would face death for the 
sake of savin’ Miss Nina, they owe somethin’ to their own 


Howland’s. 


118 

families. Gordon should be at home this moment, an’ 
he’s already done as much as Morey would under the 
same circumstances.” 

“Are you thinking of going back with them?” Dale 
asked, suspiciously. 

“Not a bit of it, lad. I ain’t lucky enough to own a 
ranch, or have any women folks to look after; conse- 
quently I count on stickin’ to you until we down Espinosa, 
or he wipes me out.” 

“I should have known better than to ask such a ques- 
tion,” Dale said, as he shook the stockman’s hand 
warmly. “Eph will stay on the trail as long as either 
of us, and we three ought to be able finally to outwit the 
Greasers.” 

“It’s a big contract you’re takin’, boy, for Espinosa 
ain’t any fool, even if he does come from sich measly 
stock, an’ has done up better men than any in this crowd, 
time and time again.” 

“Then we shall have all the more credit if he is out- 
witted by us. When shall we strike the trail again ?” 

“Not till late this afternoon. We ain’t losing any ad- 
vantage, for they’re bound to take jest as long a halt on 
account of the hosses. Tell Gordon we want as much of 
an outfit as he can spare, an’ we’ll try to pick out the best 
ponies in this drove.” 

Anything was better than remaining idle, when it 
seemed as if each moment was an hour, and Dale went at 
once to the leader of the band, explaining what he and 
his companions proposed to do. 

“Take whatever you want,” Mr. Gordon replied. “We 


Howland’s. 


IX 9 

shall carry back only as much as is absolutely necessary in 
event of an attack, and the remainder is yours. I know 
how you feel about our returning, but in a short while 
you’ll begin to understand that we have no other 
alternative.” 

“Barstow has explained the situation in such a light 
that I cannot find fault,” replied Dale. “With me it is 
different; I have a father’s murder to avenge, and have 
promised Miss Nina to follow wherever that scoundrel 
may carry her.” * 

“I wish you luck, my boy, but at the same time I feel 
that the odds are against you. Espinosa is not an enemy 
to be despised.” 

“So every one says ; but if he were twice the fighter he 
has the credit of being, I should keep on to the death.” 

“I will try to select the best ponies, and hope your mis- 
sion may be successful,” the owner of the ranch replied, 
as the conversation was brought to an end by the an- 
nouncement that such a breakfast as could be prepared 
from the limited amount of provision on hand was ready. 

When the meal was finished, Barstow insisted that 
Dale, Eph and himself should get all the sleep possible, by 
lying down at once. 

“We’re bound to keep on the trail till mornin’, an’ 
whatever can be stowed away now is jest so much 
gained.” 

This was good reasoning, and the three were soon 
stretched at full length in the shade of some bushes, while 
Mr. Gordon was making ready the outfit they would need 
when the chase was resumed. 


120 


Howland’s. 


Not until late in the afternoon were the sleepers awak- 
ened, and then it was the leader of the party who aroused 
them. 

“It’s time you were starting,” he said. “We’ve got a 
hot meal cooked, and you must tuck away as much under 
your shirt as you know how.” 

This summons was obeyed at once, and, while the three 
were eating, Mr. Gordon gave them some good advice. 

“I’ve turned over all the ammunition and grub you can 
carry comfortably, for you’re bound to travel as light as 
possible. Make a halt at Howland’s if the trail leads any- 
where near, and he’ll replenish the outfit. Don’t be rash ; 
remember whom you have to deal with, an’ when it comes 
to close quarters trust your wits rather than rifles.” 

Each member of the party had something to say, and, 
when the last bit of advice was given, the venturesome 
three were ready to begin the perilous journey. 

The sun was about an hour high in the heavens when 
they set out, and Barstow led the way along the well- 
defined trail with as much confidence in being able to fol- 
low his prey as if the course led over a turnpike, with 
fences on either side. 

A three-hours’ ride, during which the horsemen halted 
only once, sufficed to bring them to the spot where the 
Greasers had encamped during the day. 

The ashes of their fires were yet warm, thus showing 
that they had not been gone many hours, and Barstow 
said, in a tone of satisfaction : 

“They started at about the same hour we did, an’ 
there’s been precious little time lost. We mustn’t get too 


Howland’s. iai 

near till we have more of a force, or stand a good chance 
of outwitting them.” 

“How do you expect to find any one to help us ?” Dale 
asked. 

“By runnin’ across prospectors or stockmen.” 

“But if we keep at a distance, there’s no chance of 
knowing whether they could be outwitted or not.” 

“I’m only countin’ on hangin’ back a day or two, till 
they settle down into the belief that we’ve given up the 
chase.” 

Dale shuddered. 

Bar stow spoke of days as if they were no more than 
hours, and he knew that Nina was eagerly watching for 
some sign from him to tell there was a hope of her re- 
lease. 

He searched the deserted encampment for some token 
of her, and was made comparatively happy by finding a 
bit of ribbon which he remembered having seen in her 
hair. 

This he put carefully in his pocket when the others 
were not observing his movements, and many times dur- 
ing the next stage of the journey did he press the frag- 
ment of silk or the glove to his lips. 

At midnight Barstow reined in his pony suddenly, 
bringing him almost on his haunches, and Eph cried, an- 
grily: 

“Look out, there! I came mighty near riding right 
over you !” 

“That’s the same way we would have treated the trail 
half-a-minute later,” Barstow replied, as he leaped to the 


122 


Howland’s. 


ground. “See! the Greasers have turned sharply to the 
east, and, as I fancied, are headin’ for the foothills, where 
they have a chance to make a stand if we press them too 
^ hard. Now is the time when they must be fooled.” 

“What are you doing?” Dale cried, sharply, as Bar- 
stow rode on, leaving the trail to the right. 

“We may as well switch off to Howland’s ; it’s only a 
couple of miles farther, and I know where the Greasers 
have halted as well as if I’d seen them makin’ camp.” 

“But why do you go away from them?” 

“Because we mustn’t run the risk of cornin’ upon their 
sentinels unawares. It is possible we may find some fel- 
lows at Howland’s who’ll lend a hand, and, besides, when 
we start to spy out their whereabouts it’ll be on foot.” 

Eph treated this divergence from the trail as a matter 
of course, but Dale was angry because of the delay. 

He said nothing, however, for Barstow was the most 
competent to have command, and in silence the three 
drove on until the ponies stopped in front of a collection 
of buildings, the most prominent of which had a sort of 
stockade built around it. 

The barking of dogs, together with Barstow’s loud 
summons, aroused the inmates, and a couple of stockmen 
came out. 

To them Barstow told the story of Espinosa’s raid and 
the destruction of property, and concluded by announcing 
it as his intention to remain there until the following 
evening. 

The little party was made welcome ; but, to the disap- 


Howland’s. 


123 

pointment of the visitors, they learned that the proprietor 
of the ranch was absent from home. 

‘Tm sorry to hear that,” Barstow said, when all hands 
were inside the main building and a plentiful supply of 
food had been set out. “We counted on gettin’ a crowd 
of you fellows to help us shake the Greasers up a bit.” 

“If he is so near, the boys must stay to guard the 
ranch in case of an attack,” the manager replied, quickly. 
“In Howland’s absence, I wouldn’t dare weaken our force, 
no matter how many prisoners they might have.” 

“Of course not ; I understand that,” Barstow said, and 
Dale was furious, because they had left the trail, even for 
so short a time, without other result than to learn it 
would be impossible to get assistance. 

When the hunger of the newcomers had been satisfied, 
both visitors and hosts laid down to rest, but Dale found 
that he could not close his eyes in slumber. 

There was ever before his mental vision a picture of 
Nina as he saw her when Espinosa insisted on remaining 
by her side, and this, together with the thought of what 
might occur while he was wasting his time, caused the 
keenest anguish of mind. 

Cruel as was such a desire, he hoped the Mexicans 
would attack the ranch before sunrise, for then he would 
know their attention was, for the time being, diverted 
from their prisoners. 

Nothing of the kind happened, however, and when the 
day dawned he was one of the first to leave the building. 

A brisk walk in the clear, bracing air served to revive 


124 


Howland’s. 


his spirits in a measure, and an hour later came definite 
news of the enemy. 

A cowboy rode into the ranch at full speed, with the 
startling intelligence that Espinosa’s band were stealing 
and killing cattle in the vicinity of the foothills, and the 
manager of the ranch was forced to take some steps to- 
ward saving his employer’s property. 

“There couldn’t have been anything better jest at this 
time,” Barstow whispered, in a tone of satisfaction to 
Dale. “These fellers can’t lay still while sich a game is 
goin’ on, an’ we may possibly have as big a company as 
will be needed to wipe the Greasers out.” 


CHAPTER XVL 


A RESCUE. 

It was not destined that Barstow and his companions 
should profit by the news of the attack on the cattle as 
much as the former had supposed. 

The manager of the ranch was a cautious man, one 
who would shrink at nothing if his own life or property 
was in danger, but timid to a fault so far as the interests 
of others were concerned. 

Therefore, instead of mustering his entire available 
force to drive off the thieves, he sent half-a-dozen men, 
with strict orders that they remain near the herds, but to 
make no demonstration whatever against the enemy. 

“Precious little good that’ll do,” Barstow said, impa- 
tiently. “If you are goin’ to make your men lay low, the 
Greasers can drive every horn out of the State without 
raising an alarm.” 

“I suppose you think I should attack Espinosa; and 
so I would, if this was my ranch. But, in case we rode 
out, leaving only a small force here, and the buildings 
were destroyed, Mr. Howland would never cease to 
blame me.” 

“Of course you know your own business best,” Bar- 
stow replied, as he assumed an air of indifference ; “but, 
from what I’ve seen of the Greasers during the past few 


126 


A Rescue. 


days, I’ll pledge my word Espinosa hasn’t men enough to 
attack the ranch in case he was opposed by twenty good 
fellows such as you have here. It would be all he could 
do to stand up in front of them without thinking of 
dividing his force to make two separate fights.” 

The manager was not to be convinced by any such ar- 
gument, especially when it came from Barstow, who, he 
knew, was eager for an engagement with the outlaws, and 
would stretch the truth considerably in order to gain his 
own ends. 

A small force of stockmen was sent to guard the herds, 
and with orders not to be drawn into a fight if it could 
possibly be avoided. 

Then preparations were made for defending the ranch, 
and it had been put into condition to resist a long siege 
when Barstow concluded the time had come for his com- 
panions and himself to make a move. 

Dale was only too willing to bring this long spell of 
inactivity to a close, and Eph felt perfectly safe in leav- 
ing all the arrangements to Barstow’s discretion. 

The manager of the ranch was ready to lend the little 
party all the assistance in his power, save so far as such 
generosity might weaken his force, and he not only pro- 
vided an ample supply of provisions, but gave them per- 
mission to select ponies at any time from the herd. 

“You can always get them by coming back here, and, 
since it is certain Espinosa isn’t more than a couple of 
miles away, it won’t take very long to find all the horse- 
flesh that may be needed.” 

The saddles and bridles were to be left at the ranch, 


A Rescue. 


127 

while the ponies ridden by the three were turned into the 
corral. 

Then the small party started once more to meet the 
Greaser chief, and this time there was every reason to 
believe an interview could be gained with but little diffi- 
culty. 

Barstow was well acquainted with this section of the 
country, and set out directly across the wooded portion, 
confident in his ability to find the outlaw’s encampment 
even during the hours of darkness. 

“What’s your plan?” Eph asked, when they were a 
short distance from the ranch, and the ranchman replied, 
with refreshing frankness : 

“I haven’t any. We’ll go ahead and trust to chances ; 
that’s the only way I know of.” 

“So long as we are moving toward the villain I feel as 
if something was being accomplished,” Dale said; “but 
this leaving trail to pay a visit here or there with no good 
result is enough to drive a fellow crazy.” 

“Then you’ll be able to keep your mind in good repair 
for a while, because we’re likely to see as much of Es- 
| pinosa from this time until the matter is settled as the 
most greedy could ask for.” 

It was dark before the little party arrived in the vicinity 
of the place where the camp was supposed to be located, 
according to the information brought by the cowboys, 
and the advance became both cautious and slow. 

Dale followed in Barstow’s footsteps, with Eph bring- 
ing up the rear, and in this manner they traveled half- 
an-hour or more, when the distant glow of a fire warned 


128 


A Rescue. 


them that it might be dangerous to approach nearer until 
after making a careful examination of the surroundings. 

“One can do it better than three,” the stockman said, 
as he halted. “You two stay here, and I’ll go on a bit 
farther.” 

“How long are you likely to be gone ?” Dale asked. 

“I can’t say; but, in case those devils happen to get 
hold of me, I’ll kick up such a row that you’ll know of it 
without guessing.” 

He disappeared immediately after thus speaking, and 
Eph and Dale were left alone to await in anxiety and 
suspense his return. 

Neither felt in the mood for conversation, which would 
have been dangerous while the enemy were so near, and 
during the hour which followed not a word was spoken. 

Then, with such suddenness and distinctness that it 
caused both to leap to their feet in alarm, came a series 
of loud shouts or yells, followed by the reports of fire- 
arms. 

The confusion lasted fully five minutes, and then all 
was silent as before. 

“They’ve caught the poor fellow!” Dale whispered, as 
he gripped his companion’s arm. 

“That’s about the size of it.” 

“What shall we do?” 

“I reckon we’re bound to lay mighty snug till morn- 
in’, for I don’t know the country hereabouts, an’ we’d be 
as likely to blunder into the Greasers’ camp as anything 
else. Besides, if he couldn’t get on without bein’ caught, 
what chance do we stand ?” 


A Rescue. 


129 


“But we must try to help him.” 

“I ain’t so sure of that under the circumstances. 
S’posen all hands should be lassoed, what would Miss 
Nina’s hopes of escape result in?” 

Dale was silenced for a moment, but not convinced that 
inactivity was the best policy. 

He believed it their duty to run any and every risk 
for the sake of trying to aid their unfortunate companion, 
and it seemed almost criminal to remain idle at such a 
time. 

He was silent for a few moments, and then said, in a 
tone of determination: 

“I shall push on nearer, in the hope of seeing a chance 
to help him. He would not desert one of us in this man- 
ner.” 

“If you do I must go, too, for I won’t leave you.” 

“Come on, then, I’ll lead the way, and you follow close 
behind.” 

The glow of what he supposed was the Greasers’ camp- 
fire could still be seen to guide him, and with this as the 
objective point he went steadily forward. 

Moving with the utmost caution, the advance was slow, 
and after traveling about fifty yards it was seen that fully 
twice that distance would have to be traversed in the 
open, with nothing to shelter them from the light cast by 
the fire. 

At this point the thicket ended, and the outlaws we •? 
encamped at the edge of a heavier growth of timber on 
the opposite side of the clearing. 


i3° 


A Rescue. 


“Most likely Barstow was captured or killed while try- 
ing to cross that space,” Dale whispered. “You must 
wait here to watch for him while I go around.” 

“It will take you two hours to do that.” 

“Very well ; we have the whole night before us.” 

Eph would have made serious objections against being 
left alone, but Dale prevented him by starting without 
further explanations. 

Retracing his steps to the spot where they first halted, 
he circled out at least half a mile, in order to avoid the 
possibility of meeting a sentinel, and had just begun to 
move forward once more when the sound of footsteps 
caused him to halt very suddenly. 

A huge tree near by afforded him ample opportunity 
for concealment, and hidden from view by its trunk, he 
awaited the approach of one whom he firmly believed to 
be an enemy. 

To his great surprise he soon saw a woman making 
her way through the foliage with great difficulty. 

For an instant the blood bounded through his veins as 
he believed it was Nina, but when she approached more 
closely that hope was dashed. 

It was an older woman, and one whom he fancied 
looked familiar. 

Without taking heed of the possible danger in thus 
making his presence known, Dale stepped forward as he 
said, in a low tone: 

“Can I help you?” 

The woman started in alarm and surprise, and, first 
crossing herself devoutly, asked in a whisper: 


A Rescue. 


131 

“Who are you?” 

“One who would aid those who may be trying to 
escape.” 

“Are you Dale Wrightman?” 

It was now the boy’s turn to be surprised as his name 
was thus spoken, but he answered, after a slight hesita- 
tion : 

“Yes. Where did you come from?” 

“I have just escaped from Espinosa’s camp. Miss Nina 
said I would find you near by.” 

“If you could leave, what prevented her from coming, 
too ?” Dale asked, nervously, as he drew the stranger into 
the thicket, where both would be completely hidden from 
view in case one of the Greasers should take it into his 
ugly head to prowl around. 

“Espinosa watches her himself, and she could not be 
out of his sight five minutes without an alarm being 
given. She has learned some things which it is neces- 
sary you should know.” 

“Is it important I should hear the message imme- 
diately ?” 

“There would still be plenty of time if I had not found 
you until morning.” 

“You surely do not intend to go back to that camp?” 

“When one escapes from a fate worse than death they 
do not willingly return. I would walk until my feet 
were worn to the bone rather than take the chances of 
being again in the power of those villains.” 

“Is Nina safe from harm?” 

“You mean is there any danger of Espinosa forcing 


132 


A Rescue. 


her to marry him ? He will treat her well until the band 
arrives at his ranch, and then he swears she shall be his 
wife.” 

While they were talking Dale had urged the woman 
on in the direction where he had left Eph, and both 
walked rapidly, for it was hardly reasonable to suppose 
the enemy’s scouts were lurking in the vicinity, since the 
boy had just passed over the same ground. 

The knowledge that Nina was free from any immediate 
danger gave Dale the greatest possible relief, and he 
asked no further questions until they should be where a 
conversation could be carried on without difficulty. 

The distance was traversed in a comparatively short 
time, and Dale halted at the foot of the tree where he had 
parted so abruptly with Eph. 

No one was there. 

He called him gently by name, but failed to receive 
any reply. 

“He tried to follow me, and is either lost, or has been 
captured!” Dale said, half to himself, feeling that now 
indeed had all hope fled, since he was deprived of both 
his friends. 


CHAPTER XVII. 
nina's message. 

Dale's perplexity was great. 

He could not imagine why Eph should have left the 
rendezvous so soon after his departure, and in case he 
had been captured by the Greasers, why had there not 
been some outcry? 

Dale was wholly at a loss to know what to do, but it 
seemed positive he must make every exertion to find one 
or more of his friends before day dawned, and he said 
to the woman: 

“Both my comrades have disappeared, and it is neces- 
sary I should search for them. Will you stay here alone 
half an hour?" 

“Don’t leave me ! Don't leave me !” the woman cried, 
as she clung to him frantically. “Espinosa would have 
me tortured to death if he caught me now! I will go 
with you — do anything rather than remain here after you 
go. Besides, you must hear the message Miss Nina has 
sent." 

“Tell me quickly." 

“It has been decided to attack the nearest ranch to get 
more ponies, as so many of those stolen from our home 
have been used up by hard riding. Miss Nina asks that 
you give over trying to help her long enough to warn 
the poor people who are in danger." 


I 34 


Nina’s Message. 


“Is that the whole of the message ?” 

“She said: ‘Tell him I know he will follow me to the 
end, and that sustains my courage; but if he fails he 
must not feel too much sorrow, for I fear the task is too 
great. Neither is he to risk his life in my behalf.’ ” 

“I would die with her rather than abandon the at- 
tempt or arrive too late!” Dale replied emphatically. 
“How did you get away?” 

“It was arranged with Miss Nina when we camped 
here that I should make the attempt. The women were 
not fettered, and when the opportunity came I crept 
through the lines. She, poor girl, has a sentinel over her 
every moment of the day and night, therefore what I 
might do would be impossible for her.” 

“When is the attack to be made on the ranch ?” 

“I do not know, but it is to come off before the band 
leave this place.” 

“How is their camp situated ?” 

“At the edge of a heavy growth of timbers, with a 
wall of bowlders at the back.” 

“Do you know how many men are left alive?” 

“I can’t say positively, but I should think there were 
not more than sixty, including the wounded. When shall 
you go to warn the ranchmen?” 

“There is no reason why I should do anything of the 
kind. They fear an attack because of what the Greasers 
have already done, and are prepared.” 

“Will you not go there? Miss Nina wishes it that you 
may be out of danger during the fight.” 

Dale’s face flushed, and his heart beat with pleasure at 


Nina’s Message. 135 

the knowledge that she was thinking only of his safety, 
but that fact did not cause him to neglect duty. 

“If there is a fight, I must be here ; it is the only chance 
I shall have to rescue her unaided. Do you think you 
could find your way alone?” 

“I would not dare.” 

“Yet you say anything is preferable to recapture.” 

“To go alone would be the same as if I walked de- 
liberately into Espinosa’s camp.” 

Dale used every argument to induce the woman to do 
as he wished, but entreaties or threats were alike in vain. 

She refused to make even the slightest move without 
him, and wept and moaned in her fear, until he was 
literally forced to hold his hand over her mouth lest the 
outcry should be heard by some of Espinosa’s sentinels. 

He had good cause for perplexity. 

It seemed to be his duty to attempt to aid Barstow, and 
at the same time something should be done toward find- 
ing Eph, while to leave the vicinity of the camp for the 
briefest time might result in losing a chance to rescue 
Nina. 

The more he thought the matter over the greater was 
his bewilderment, but he finally settled the matter by say- 
ing sharply : 

“If you won’t do what you can to help your young 
mistress out of her dangerous position, I must spend as 
much time as is necessary to walk to the ranch.” 

“But it is to be attacked, and I shall be captured 
again!” she wailed. 

This rejoinder, after he had decided to aid her at the 


Nina’s Message. 


136 

expense of the others, caused Dale to grow angry, and it 
was apparent in his tone as he replied : 

“You can go there or stay here. In the latter case I 
fancy you will have all the danger that’s desired, for it is 
my intention to creep up very near the camp before morn- 
ing, and if I am discovered your capture will be certain.” 

The woman was silent for a few seconds, and then she 
said in an injured tone : 

“I will do as you wish, but it is against Miss Nina’s 
desire that you expose yourself to danger.” 

“If you make use of that to prevent my doing all that 
is possible to aid her I shall believe it was invented to 
secure your own safety.” 

“Indeed it wasn’t. I only repeat her words.” 

“Then, if you have decided, come along, and travel 
rapidly, for I can’t afford to be away very long.” 

He started through the foliage, and the woman was 
forced to follow or be left behind. 

Dale walked at the best pace consistent with silence 
and safety, and, after a short time, it occurred to him that 
his companion might be able to tell him something regard- 
ing Barstow’s fate. 

“How long had you been away from the camp before I 
met you ?” 

“Not a great while; perhaps half an hour.” 

“Did you hear a disturbance, during which firearms 
were used, before leaving?” 

“Yes, it was then Miss Nina motioned me to leave, for 
all the men were running around excitedly, and it was 
easier to get away.” 


137 


Niua’s Message, 

“Did you know what caused the alarm ?” 

“No.” 

The attempt to gain information was a failure, and 
Dale relapsed into silence, not speaking again until they 
were within sight of the ranch. 

It was some time before they could gain admittance to 
the main building, so great was the manager’s caution, 
but when he was finally assured as to their true character 
the welcome was hearty. 

In the fewest possible words Dale repeated that por- 
tion of Nina’s message which referred to the movements 
of the Greasers, and told of the mysterious manner in 
which his companions had disappeared. 

“Espinosa is not a man to be trifled with, and the fact 
that he has got hold of them should teach you a lesson. 
Remain here rather than insure your own destruction by 
continuing a task which is hopeless.” 

“It seems that the Greaser’s name and reputation 
frighten more than his bullets. I shall go back at once, 
as I would if I knew certain death awaited me. You will 
give shelter to the woman, and be on your guard against 
the threatened attack.” 

“Can I do anything for you ?” 

“There is nothing possible while you remain here,” 
Dale replied, and then, without further parley, he walked 
rapidly toward the encampment. 

By stopping longer he might have said something very 
harsh to the man who was so exceedingly cautious when 
a young girl and two women were in the power of un- 


138 Nina*s Message. 

scrupulous marauders, and it would not have been wise to 
make an enemy at such a time. 

He found some little difficulty in making his way back 
to the place where Eph had last been seen, owing to his 
ignorance of the country, but finally succeeded, and stood 
trying to decide what the next move should be. 

A profound silence reigned. 

The rustling of the leaves in the gentle night breeze 
sounded with startling distinctness, and Dale was be- 
ginning to be influenced by the almost painful quietude, 
when he heard, or fancied he heard, his name called by 
Eph. 

Starting forward in the direction from which the sup- 
posed noise had come, he whispered, eagerly : 

“Eph ! Eph ! Where are you ?” 

There was no reply. 

He walked cautiously through the foliage, describing 
a circle, one side of which approached dangerously near 
the Greasers’ camp, but nothing was to be seen. 

It was positive no one could be concealed sufficiently 
near to make his voice heard save by the most vigorous 
shouting. Again he stood as before, peering in the direc- 
tion of the enemy’s camp-fire, and once more came the 
whispered words : 

“Dale ! Dale Wrightman !” 

This time it seemed as if he could have made no mis- 
take. 

Under other circumstances he would have been willing 
to swear that Eph had called him. 


139 


Nina’s Message. 

“What can it mean?” he said to himself, as a certain 
sensation of fear came upon him. “I’m sure the poor 
fellow isn’t anywhere near, and, of course, there are no 
such things as ghosts.” 

The mystery chained him to the spot, despite the fact 
that he believed it necessary to get a glimpse of the en- 
campment. 

Ten minutes elapsed, and for the third time he heard 
the words in the same low, cautious tone. 

“He has been wounded, and, unable to help himself, is 
trying to bring me to him,” he said, as once more he be- 
gan a search of the thicket. 

Fully half an hour was spent walking around within 
the circle, and at the end of that time he knew beyond a 
peradventure that his friend was nowhere in the vicinity. 

The mysterious voice, for he now felt positive his fancy 
had not played him a trick, frightened Dale. 

At tangible danger he would have advanced boldly 
without heed of his own safety, but the repetition of his 
name in a tone one could easily recognize as Eph’s caused 
an undefined fear against which courage .was as nothing. 

“It’s no use standing here,” he finally said in a whisper, 
eager to break the solemn silence if by no other means 
than his own words. “I’ve got plenty of work to do be- 
fore morning, and if the summons was meant as a warn- 
ing from some unearthly source it can make no difference. 
A hundred ghosts shouldn’t prevent me from trying to 
rescue Nina.” 


140 


Nina’s Message. 


He started resolutely toward the edge of the thicket, 
intending to circle around as before in order to approach 
the Greasers’ camp from the rear, when again his name 
was spoken, and this time the voice sounded like Bar- 
stow’s. 


CHAPTER XVIII. 


THE ENCAMPMENT. 

This time Dale did not stop, but continued on, con- 
vinced he had heard a voice from the other world, or that 
his nervous fancies had tricked him. 

Fortunately for his peace of mind, it was but a short 
time before he was in the midst of a more tangible 
danger, which caused him to forget partially the mystery. 
After circling around the encampment as before, he 
turned toward the wall of bowlders spoken of by the 
escaped prisoner, and had not proceeded more than a hun- 
dred yards when the sound of footsteps, and voices speak- 
ing in Spanish, told that he was in the very midst of the 
Greaser sentinels. 

If he had been able to understand their language con- 
siderable information of value might have been obtained, 
but as it was he remained in total ignorance of much 
which could have benefited him. 

The men were moving to and fro amid the under- 
growth, either searching the woods, or keeping a lookout 
for undesirable visitors, and from the number Dale heard 
at different times it seemed as if fully half Espinosa's 
band were on the alert against danger. 

It appeared almost impossible to advance without en- 
countering one or more, but yet he continued on, now re- 


142 


The Encampment. 

mainirig nearly stationary in the shadow of a tree, barely 
moving his feet in the desired direction, and again making 
a wide detour to avoid the men. 

In this manner a very long while was spent in gaining 
a short distance, and the gray light of the coming day 
had appeared in the sky before he reached the desired 
spot. 

He was now amid what might have been called a 
“thicket of bowlders/' 

The huge rocks were piled in every direction for a 
space of sixty or seventy yards square, forming a com- 
plete barrier against this portion of the encampment. 

Horses could never have been taken among the 
gigantic blocks, and a man might only do so with the 
greatest difficulty. 

“If Eph and Barstow were here it wouldn’t cost an 
hour’s time to drive those devils out of their camp,” he 
muttered, as he selected a hiding-place where he would 
be sheltered from view, and yet be able to see all that was 
going on. “Three men could hold a hundred at bay, and 
finally shoot down the entire lot before the day came to an 
end.” 

He had a small amount of provisions, but no water. 

The lack of the means of quenching his thirst did not 
cause him any anxiety, however, for he counted on being 
able to leave the place at any time during the hours of 
of darkness. 

With his weapons close beside him, his ammunition 
belt unbuckled for greater comfort, and in a position 
where he could note the approach of any one, Dale ate a 


The Encampment. 143 

hearty breakfast while waiting for the gloom to be dis- 
persed. 

Half-an-hour later he had a good view of the encamp- 
ment. 

That the Mexicans were in an almost impregnable posi- 
tion there could be no question, and Dale realized that 
the manager of the Howland ranch had been wise in dis- 
playing so much caution. 

Espinosa’s forces would be able to hold out against 
quite an army, and in the meantime give good account of 
themselves in the way of sharp-shooting. 

Having noted their strength, Dale searched with his 
eyes for Nina, and soon found her by following the chief’s 
movements. 

The poor girl was in the very center of the camp, under 
a shelter of boughs which had evidently been put up to 
shield her as much from the rude gaze of the men as the 
elements, with her head bowed in her hands in an attitude 
of despair. 

“She believes I will follow the advice she sent, and 
now thinks herself abandoned. It wouldn’t be a difficult 
job to throw a stone within a few inches of where she is 
sitting, and if I had the means of writing a note she 
should soon know I’m here.” 

For a long while he watched her, and then came the 
thought of his friends. 

If they had been taken prisoners, and there could be no 
other cause for their sudden disappearance, he should see 
them now. 

Eagerly he gazed toward the different groups of men, 


144 


The Encampment. 


and not until after a long and careful scrutiny could 
Dale be satisfied neither was there. 

With the exception of Nina and the two women, he 
saw no one save the Greasers themselves. 

Now the mystery was greater than ever. 

If Eph was dead, his body must have been found in the 
thicket Dale searched so thoroughly, and yet the boy 
knew it was not there. 

“Where could they have gone?” he asked over and 
over again, and, as a matter of course, the voices he had 
heard came to his mind. 

It was impossible to convince himself they had been 
caused by nothing more than fancy, and after a time he 
succeeded in forming a theory which was by no means 
improbable. 

“Barstow must have called, the same as when I heard 
the sound. Eph went to his assistance, and was struck 
down by a Greaser’s knife. The two managed to reach 
some spot just outside the thicket, where I didn’t dare to 
go, and there I shall find them. I’ll leave here as soon as 
it is possible to decide whether the devils are going to 
attack Howland’s immediately, and before I stop again 
the mystery of those voices shall be cleared up.” 

During the next hour he felt rather more relieved in 
mind. 

The outlaws cooked breakfast, cleaned their weapons, 
or attended to the ponies, as fancy dictated, and then it 
became evident that some move was about to be made or 
discussed. 

Espinosa left Nina’s cabin, where he had been seated 


The Encampment. 145 

smoking a cigarette, and, calling his men around him, 
walked to the edge of the thicket, when he spoke earnestly 
and energetically several moments. 

The attention of the outlaws was directed toward their 
leader, or to that portion of the forest from which an at- 
tack might be expected, and it would not have been sur- 
prising if Dale could have made his way unobserved to 
Nina’s side. 

There was no possibility he would be able to return, 
however, and the thought was dismissed as quickly as it 
came, but leaving behind an idea upon which it was easy 
to act. 

He had in his possession the bit of ribbon found at the 
last encampment, and, tying this around a small stone, he 
raised himself cautiously above the bowlder to take aim. 

Never had he sent a rifle bullet more accurately. 

The missile with its unwritten message of hope struck 
within a few inches of Nina’s feet, and rolled so near 
that she could pick it up without moving from her posi- 
tion. 

For an instant the unhappy girl seemed at a loss to 
understand the reason of such a visitor, and then the truth 
flashed upon her. 

She turned in the direction from whicn the stone had 
come, raised it to her lips, sent a kiss on the winds to the 
brave fellow who was watching over her, and never in 
his life did Dale receive so sweet a message. 

It repaid him for all his sufferings and dangers. It 
rendered more steadfast his intention of rescuing her or 
of dying in the attempt. 


146 


The Encampment. 

“There must be a little comfort in the knowledge that 
a friend is near,” he said, “and before many days I will 
find a means of doing a service such as will amount to 
^something.” 

' f> Nina remained gazing steadily in the direction of Dale, 
and he, watching an opportunity when the Greasers were 
particularly interested in the words of their leader, rose 
to his feet for a second. 

A gesture of disapproval from Nina, and he was 
hidden from view, but she would know where to look for 
him in case there came a chance to attempt a rescue, which 
was, to his mind, ample reward for the risk taken. 

Half-an-hour passed, during which Dale kept his eyes 
fixed upon the girl he had sworn to save, and then the 
meeting of the Greasers was broken up. 

Espinosa came again to Nina, who turned her back on 
him, and the other members of the gang resumed their 
interrupted occupations. 

“It is certain they don’t intend to go to Howland’s yet 
a while,” Dale said to himself. “Most likely the devils 
are waiting to make sure no one is in pursuit. By stay- 
ing here I shall waste the entire day, when it might be 
possible to find Barstow or Eph.” 

To attempt to leave the bowlders in broad sunlight was 
not a safe venture, but Dale believed he was warranted in 
taking the chances. 

By creeping from one rock to the other, keeping well 
within the shelter of each, he succeeded, after ten minutes 
or more, in reaching the side of the barrier nearest the 
thicket. 


The Encampment. 147 

Here was a broad space over which he must make his 
way, with nothing to shield him from view. 

Fastening the rifle to his side in such a manner that it 
would be dragged after him, he lay at full length on the 
ground, and worked himself along after the fashion of a 
snake, careful to shape his course through the thickest of 
the weeds, which grew in luxuriant profusion. 

It was hard work, but he accomplished the task in less 
than an hour, and rose to his feet among the shelter of 
the trees with a sigh of relief. 

Thus far nothing had been heard to betoken that the 
Greasers had any idea an enemy was in the vicinity, and 
he felt it was safe to make his investigations without the 
expenditure of so much time. 

Walking rapidly, he traveled on until arriving at the 
spot from which he had heard the mysterious voices, and 
whispered loudly while pacing to and fro: 

“Eph! Barstow! Where are you?’' 

Not for what seemed like a very long while were his 
efforts rewarded, and then he heard the ranchman’s 
voice : 

9 

“Hunt for a hole in the center of half a dozen bushes ! 
We’ve fallen into an old mine, and struck the vein your 
father discovered !” 

Dale could hardly credit the evidences of his own 
senses. 

It was not so strange that a shaft should once have 
been dug in this place, but that it was the very one dis- 
covered by his father, and thus made known to both his 
friends by an accident, seemed almost incredible. 


148 


The Encampment. 


He was not so much bewildered, however, but that it 
was possible to find the opening after having the proper 
instructions, and in a short time he was lying on the 
earth, with his face over the aperture, talking to Bar- 
stow and Eph. 


CHAPTER XIX. 


THE OLD MINE. 

“How did you happen to get in there?” Dale asked, as 
he tried in vain to peer down the dark aperture. 

“I got hold of a Greaser, an’ instead of shootin’ the 
cuss, was tryin’ to choke him to death to prevent any 
noise; but he proved too much for me till we’d knocked 
around considerable. Then the next thing I knew both 
of us was tumblin’ in here.” 

“How did Eph find you ?” 

“I hollered as loud as I dared., an’ when the fool 
struck the hole he insisted on cornin’ down to see what it 
was like. That settled it, for, of course, both are fast.” 

“Do you have any idea how deep it is?” 

“Somewhere about forty feet, I should say.” 

“You’ll have to wait till I can go back to Howland’s 
for a lariat.” 

“Now you’re here, we are willin’ to hold on quite a 
spell ; but an hour ago it looked as if we’d made our ever- 
lastin’ lump.” 

“What did you mean by saying this was the vein father 
discovered ?” 

“Because he’s left somethin’ that proves it. What 
time is it ?” 

“Early in the forenoon.” 


The Old Mine. 


150 

“Have you seen anything of the Greasers ?” 

“I just came from near their camp. According to the 
appearance of things, there isn’t much show of a move 
before night.” 

“Then fix things so’s we can get up, an’ take a peep at 
your property.” 

“It might be possible to arrange some means of get- 
ting down without so long a tramp.” 

“I don’t think so ; we’ve spent a good many hours tryin’ 
to figger it out.” 

“Then I’ll go. Wait patiently, for something may 
happen to detain me ; the Greasers are thick hereabouts.” 

“Have you got any grub?” 

“A little.” 

“Drop some in ; it’s better to eat than stay here with 
nothin’ to do but suck our thumbs.” 

“All right, stand from under!” and Dale let fall the 
small haversack in which he carried his provisions. 

Up to this time Eph had not spoken ; but now he said, 
mournfully : 

“It’s a big pity you don’t smoke ; I’m mighty nigh dyin’ 
for a piece of terbacker.” 

“It’ll be necessary to wait a while longer, for I don’t 
carry such a thing. What beats me is how you got down 
there when Barstow told you the situation of affairs.” 

“He said it was the shaft of an old mine, an’, fool-like, 
I allowed I knew how to get out.” 

“It was ten to one that he’d break his neck or mine 
when he came/’ Barstow added, with a laugh. “I 
thought he was at the top, when his carcass slipped 


The Old Mine. 


151 

through the hole. Lucky the Greaser’s body was here to 
break the fall, as it did for me, or Eph would be ready 
for a-buryin’ now, an’ a mighty ugly corpse he’d make.” 

“You know I’ve had a good bit of experience in mines,” 
Eph explained, “an’ I made sure there was a ladder on the 
side, seein’s how I couldn’t find the wreck of a windlass.” 

“It will be time enough for me to hear the particulars 
after I’ve been to the ranch,” Dale interrupted. “I can’t 
go there and back in less than an hour, so you mustn’t 
grow impatient.” 

“It’s all right now we know you’re on the way,” Bar- 
stow replied, and Dale hurried away, eager to be at the 
bottom of the shaft that he might learn what the stock- 
man meant by saying it was the vein discovered by the 
murdered prospector. 

It was necessary to proceed with the greatest caution, 
despite his anxiety to return at once, for there could be 
no question but that the Greasers were scouting in the 
vicinity, and he took precautions accordingly. 

An hour was spent in making the two miles, and his 
return was hailed by the manager of Howland’s as proof 
that he had concluded to abandon the unequal contest. 

“That’s where you make a mistake,” Dale replied to 
the suggestion that he had tired of chasing Espinosa 
single-handed. “I still believe it will be possible to get 
the best of him. Just now I want a lariat from my 
saddle, and am going directly back. The Greasers don’t 
show any signs of attacking you to-day, but I reckon you 
can count on seeing them some time to-night.” 


152 The Old Mine. 

“We are prepared, and shall give a good account of 
ourselves.” 

“I only hope the fight will be so hot that I can see a 
chance of rescuing Miss Nina. 

“It might be a good opportunity ; but I allow he’ll leave j 
his camp well guarded.” 

By this time the defenders of the ranch had gathered 
around Dale to learn the latest news of the enemy, and 
an old stockman said, as he shook the boy warmly by the 
hand: 

“You’re plucky enough to be one of us, and I only wish 
that old man Howland was home, for then we’d show you 
how soon a crowd could be gathered to help rescue a 
young girl from them devils. Jest now we’re too much 
afraid of bein’ blamed for doin’ the proper thing.” 

Dale understood that the stockman was saying this for 
the benefit of the manager rather than himself, but he 
made no reply, save by a pressure of the hand. 

It was evident from the conversation that all, or nearly 
all, of those employed on the ranch, were eager to be led 
against Espinosa, instead of waiting until he should be 
ready to attack. 

Dale explained that their camp could not be carried by { 
assault save at an enormous loss of life, but this did not 
dampen the ardor of the men. 

“We oughter have a chance to show what we’re made 
of,” the old fellow said, as he walked away, shaking his 
head angrily, and the visitor thought it would be better to 
take his departure rather than listen to the wrangling 
which could amount to nothing of importance. 


The Old Mine. 


153 


Securing the lariat and another small supply of pro- 
visions, he was about to leave the ranch, when the 
woman whom he brought there insisted on attempting to 
learn something regarding her young mistress, and half- 
an-hour was spent trying to convince her that he knew 
no more than she herself could have told him. 

Another delay was caused by the majority of the stock- 
men, who surrounded him apparently for no other pur- 
pose than to inveigh against the manager, and when Dale 
found it possible to break away from them it was noon. 

“I can’t wait a minute longer,” he said, when the men 
would have detained him longer, and the words had 
hardly been spoken when one of the cowboys rode up at 
full speed. 

“The Greasers are coming!” he shouted. “The whole 
crowd chased me a mile, and I only had a chance to in- 
vite two of the gang to stop.” 

“What was the matter that you didn’t shoot any bet- 
ter?” some one asked. 

“I didn’t care about gettin’ in range of the lot, an’ so 
kept as far ahead as the pony could carry me. There 
they are now.” 

The alarm was not a false one. 

Looking quickly in the direction pointed out by the 
newcomer, Dale saw the full force of Greasers riding at 
their best pace, and he had barely time to get inside the 
inclosure before they were within range. 

The fact that he was shut up where it would be neces- 
sary to assist in a desperate fight did not disturb him 
nearly as much as the fact that his friends were already 


I 54 


The Old Mine. 


expecting his return, and the moment when he hoped to 
effect Nina’s release had arrived during his absence. 

This last thought was by far the most distressing, be- 
cause Eph and Barstow were in no danger, while this 
might be the only opportunity he would have to aid the 
girl. 

There was but little opportunity, however, for him to 
speculate upon what might have been. 

Espinosa had come ready for business, and was not 
disposed to waste unnecessary time. 

After riding within range, he wheeled about, drew his 
force a short distance away, as if to display their skill in 
horsemanship, and then sent one forward with a white 
flag. 

Cautious though the manager of Howland’s was, he 
had sufficient courage to refuse to treat with such a gang, 
and the bearer of the message, whatever it might have 
been, was forced to beat a rapid retreat in order to save 
his life. 

The stockmen were so eager to begin hostilities that 
they could not wait until the fellow was within range, but 
discharged their rifles when there was but little hope of 
hitting the mark. 

On seeing his messenger thus dismissed, Espinosa im- 
mediately proceeded to the work before him. 

During the next two hours his force was busily en- 
gaged in gathering combustible materials, and one of the 
besieged said, grimly : 

“The cusses count on burnin’ us out, an’ I allow it 
won’t be sich a hard job after dark. Nobody knows bet- 




The Old Mine. 




155 


ter than they how to do the work, an’ things’ll be mighty 
hot afore long.” 

“This is what comes of stayin’ cooped up here like old 
women,” another man replied. “If we’d gone out as the 
boy wanted us to; this ’ere fight would ’a’ been settled 
long ago.” 

Dale did not stop to listen to the conversation. 

From what could be judged of the Mexicans’ move- 
ments, he understood that the battle might be a long one, 
and he was racking his brains to discover some means of 
attending to the work which he believed of the most vital 
importance at such a time. 

“I must leave here as soon as the sun sets,” he said to 
himself, as he walked round the stockade, making mental 
notes of the number and disposition of the enemy. 

The Greasers appeared to be gathering in greatest force 
directly in front of the entrance to the main building, 
which faced the north, and opposite that point only two 
horsemen could be seen, who were evidently stationed as 
sentinels to guard against a surprise from the outside. 

“It is by that way I will go,” Dale said, unconsciously 
speaking aloud, not heeding the fact that the old ranch- 
man who had spoken so disparagingly of the manager 
was standing behind him. 

“So you are countin’ on leavin’ us, eh ?” 

Dale turned quickly, looked at his questioner an in- 
stant, and replied, quietly : 

“That is exactly what I propose doing.” 

“Do you allow that the Greasers won’t have anything to 
say ag’in it ?” 


The Old Mine. 


156 

“Not unless they happen to see me, and I must run my 
chances of that.” 

“Look here, my son, it strikes me you’re a dandy, an’, 
after this little scrimmage is over, I hope I’ll get to see 
you when we can chum together, so to speak.” 


CHAPTER XX. 


THE DUEL. 

Dale did not feel very much like “chumming” with the 
old ranchman just at this time, but by so doing valuable 
advice might be received, and he began by explaining ex- 
actly what he wanted to do. 

“It’s got to be a neat piece of work, lad, or you’ll never 
have a chance to try anything more of the kind,” the old 
man said, thoughtfully. “Them Greasers are bound to 
keep a mighty sharp watch to prevent one of us from 
gettin’ out to give the alarm, an’, although there ain’t but 
two on the south side, they’re there for every ounce of 
sand there is in ’em.” 

“I understand that, and yet I must go.” 

“Now you’re talkin’ like a man, my boy, an’ I hope 
you’ll pull through all right; but in case you should go 
under, remember that old Tom Gaskill will take it on 
himself to settle your score.” 

“I’m not certain whether that’ll do me any good or not, 
in case I’m killed,” Dale replied, with a laugh, “but I’m 
much obliged to you all the same.” 

“The sooner you get off the better, for after Espinosa 
begins work in earnest he’ll take precious good care that 
none of us has a chance to sneak out.” 

“Where is the best point for me to start from?” 


The Duel. 


158 

‘Til show you. It won’t make much difference if I 
fool round a couple of hours, since we ain’t goin’ to have 
our work laid out till sunset, when the buildin’s are fired, 
so come with me.” 

Dale followed the old ranchman, and while walking 
across the inclosure it was possible to observe the move- 
ments of the enemy quite distinctly. 

Espinosa was beginning the siege with infinite care, a 
method which had ever characterized his murderous 
raids. 

Inexperienced as Dale was, he understood that the 
Greaser did not intend to let a single person escape, and 
that the real work would begin only when the buildings 
had been set on fire. 

Then, unable to fight the flames, it would speedily be- 
come simply a question as to whether the besieged should 
perish in the fire or surrender on such terms as the out- 
law was willing to grant. 

“I hope you don’t think I intend to leave because I’m 
afraid to stay here,” Dale said, as his newly-made friend 
conducted him toward the southern portion of the stock- 
ade. 

“Not a bit of it, my lad. It takes more sand to venter 
out now than to stay. I only hope you’ll see a chance to 
rescue the girl.” 

“So do I !” Dale replied, fervently. 

“I allow that things won’t be settled here either way 
muct before mornin’, so you’ve got plenty of time if you 
get past them two Greasers. Don’t rush in at the earliest 
show you get without thinkin’ over all the chances, for 


The Duel. 


*59 

you won’t be able to try more’n once, an’ the first must 
count.” 

Dale was wrapping the lariat oyer one shoulder and 
around his waist in such a manner that it could not im- 
pede his progress. 

“Be sure to keep the handle of your knife free,” the 
old man said, warningly. “I’ve seen more men go under 
by bein’ careless in that way than could be counted on 
both our hands.” 

“Mine is clear,” and Dale pulled it from the sheath. “I 
must take the lariat even if I have to go unarmed.” 

“Then pull the rawhide a leetle tighter; it’ll work out 
when you’re squirmin’ along over the ground,” and old 
Tom illustrated his meaning by arranging the lariat in 
such a manner that it fitted as tightly as a garment. “If 
you should get into a snug place before you’re so far 
from here that a rifle-shot could be heard, don’t shoot, 
whatever happens, for then you’d have a crowd down on 
you at once. Do you see that line of live oaks beyond this 
first cuss ?” 

“Yes.” 

“Well, make straight for them, an’ once under cover 
I’ll back you ag’in more’n a dozen Greasers.” 

Then the ranchman examined Dale’s weapons; made 
certain they were in working order, and said, as he re- 
placed the revolvers in the boy’s holsters : 

“Shoot low, lad, when a man pulls on you, an’ keep 
your eye on the spot where you want to land the bullet, 
then your hand is bound to be held right. I’ve been in 
this country ever since I was big enough to chew ter- 


i6o 


The Duel. 


backer, an’ never saw any good come of try in’ to sight a 
revolver. Quick work with the trigger is what counts 
every time, an' don’t forget it.” 

Never before had Dale been advised as to the best 
means of taking human life, and these instructions 
sounded queerly ; but he knew only too well that following 
them implicitly was a necessity at such a time. 

By the time old Tom had concluded his lesson the 
two were at the point where the ranchman intended Dale 
should begin his venture. 

“Here’s a chance to get through,” he said, as he opened 
a small, strongly-barred gate. “I’ll be on the alert till 
you’re out of range, an’ you needn’t raise a hand before 
then. Keep right along, an’ if that Greaser don’t keep 
his distance there’ll be an empty saddle for you to climb 
into, providin’ you can catch the pony.” 

Then the old fellow held out his hand. 

Dale seized and pressed it warmly. 

The moment for action had come. There was no need 
for more words, and to prolong the conversation would 
have been to show signs of weakness. 

The ranchman opened the gate sufficiently to admit 
Dale’s crawling through, and said, as the boy dropped to 
his hands and knees: 

“Don’t take to your feet till you’re inside the fringe of 
live oaks.” 

Then the gate was closed and barred, and Dale under- 
stood that his life now depended solely upon his own skill 
and exertions. 

Cautiously and slowly he worked his way along, flat- 


The Duel. 


161 


tening his body on the ground until he looked more like 
a log of wood than a human being, and, stopping from 
time to time in order that he might raise his head suffi- 
ciently to make certain he was proceeding in the proper 
direction. 

He could see the sentinels considerably more than a 
rifle-shot off, sitting like statues on their horses. 

Half the distance was traversed, and there had been no 
change in the general position of affairs. 

Now he was beyond the point where the old ranchman 
might have aided him with a timely shot. 

“It’s neck or nothing, and if I fail poor Nina will have 
no one to help her,” he muttered, this last thought nerv- 
ing him until even greater dangers than those before him 
would willingly have been encountered. 

One more halt. 

It did not seem as if he had lessened the distance be- 
tween himself and the live oaks by so much as a yard. 

The sentinels were still apparently unconscious that 
any person except themselves was in the vicinity. 

One fellow was not more than a hundred yards away, 
and it seemed as if he could not fail to see the boy, who 
was straining every nerve to reach the shelter of the 
trees. 

Now more slowly and more cautiously, if indeed that 
could be possible. Dale continued on. 

The moments passed as hours, and his heart beat like 
a trip-hammer. 

Would he succeed in gaining the thicket, or would a 
bullet end both his life and Nina’s hopes at the same time? 


i 62 


The Duel. 


He nears the trees. Already it seems as if he could 
feel the cool shadow. 

He is in the underbrush. Five minutes and he is safe. 

He arose cautiously to his feet, yet remaining in a 
stooping position, and ran forward at full speed. 

He gained the desired haven, continuing the speed lest 
the foliage should not be sufficient to screen him from 
view, and at the very instant when it appeared as if he 
was successful, a pair of arms clutched him around the 
waist. 

Half-freeing himself by a quick movement, Dale so far 
released the upper portion of his body as to be able to see 
his captor. 

It was one of Espinosa’s gang, who had been sent on 
foot through the live oaks with some message to the sen- 
tinels, or to make certain they were attending to duty. 

“Tryin’ to give us the slip, eh? Well, you’ll find that 
isn’t so easily done when our chief undertakes this sort 
of business,” the man said, as he tightened his hold on 
the prisoner, and looked around as if debating what 
should be done with him. 

“I don’t belong to the ranch,” Dale replied, trying to 
gain time in which to act upon a suddenly conceived 
plan. 

“That makes little difference to us. I reckon you’ll be 
enough to give us sport while we are waiting to smoke 
the other Gringos out.” 

“There’s no need of choking me to death now, what- 
ever you propose to do. I’m not such a fool but that I 
know when any one has the drop on me.” 


The Duel. 


163 

“At the same time I’ll go through the formality of 
pullin’ your teeth/' the fellow replied, as he loosened his 
hold in order to seize Dale’s revolvers. 

That was the very movement the boy anticipated, and 
with the quickness of thought he wrenched one of his 
hands free, striking the Greaser a crashing blow full in 
the face. 

The man was staggered for an instant, but not suffi- 
ciently so to release his hold, and Dale leaped for his 
throat, succeeding in clutching him firmly. 

The fellow had drawn a revolver, and now raised it, 
intending to strike the boy, since they were at too close 
quarters to permit of his discharging its contents. 

To prevent this Dale threw himself forward, bearing 
the man to the ground, and causing him to lose the 
weapon. 

By a quick twist the Greaser succeeded in turning just 
enough to bring Dale down on his side, and then the odds 
appeared to be in his favor, since he was the stronger of 
the two. 

During all this time not a sound had been made suffi- 
ciently loud to attract the attention of the sentinels, and, 
as this thought passed through Dale’s mind with the 
rapidity of light, he concluded that his adversary believed 
they were within hailing distance of the ranch. 

The Greaser had succeeded in gaining a hold on Dale’s 
throat as they fell, and it now became a question of 
strength and endurance. 

Dale could not reach his knife without giving the man 


164 


The Duel. 


a similar opportunity, arid yet he realized that in such a. 
contest he must soon be the loser. 

He tried to twist out of the fellow’s grasp by a sudden 
movement sideways, but this attempt was skillfully 
foiled. 

Then the Mexican, in his turn, thought to change the 
hold, forcing Dale’s head upward while he entwined the 
boy’s body with his legs, thus rendering it possible for 
one hand to do the duty of two. 

Dale felt that his adversary was getting the best of the 
struggle slowly but surely, and it seemed as if the pain of 
being forced to leave Nina to her terrible fate would be 
greater than that of dying. 


CHAPTER XXI. 


A KNIFE-THRUST. 

Although Dale was conscious that the Greaser was 
slowly but surely gaining an advantage over him, he did 
not resign himself to death so long as it was possible to 
continue the struggle. 

He realized that the instant he relaxed his efforts ever 
so slightly a knife-thrust would end all, and instead of 
acting on the offensive he simply bent his energies to 
holding his own. 

The Mexican, fearing lest the boy's friends should be 
in the immediate vicinity, and would come up at any mo- 
ment, was not content to prolong the struggle. 

To his mind it was absolutely necessary he should gain 
possession of the knife at once, and to this end he made 
an incautious movement which cost him his life. 

Loosening his hold for an instant, trusting to his ability 
to work more quickly than the boy could, he reached to- 
ward his belt. 

Dale, on the alert for such an opportunity, threw him- 
self on one side in such a manner as to pin the man's arm 
down, and grasped his own knife. 

One quick thrust, and the Mexican sank back with a 
smothered curse, but only to rise again as Dale leaped to 
his feet. 


1 66 


A Knife-thrust, 


The dying outlaw had but one thought — that of re- 
venge, and he groped his way feebly toward the re- 
volver. 

If he should gain and discharge it an alarm would be 
given to the other sentinels, thus cutting Dale off from all 
opportunity of escape at the very moment when success 
seemed assured. 

It was horrible to struggle further with a dying man, 
but necessity knows no law, and the boy grappled once 
more with the enemy. 

This fight was not prolonged. 

Each instant the Greaser grew more feeble, and at the 
end of three or four minutes Dale had the weapon in his 
grasp, while the fellow lay prone on the ground, so nearly 
lifeless as to be beyond the power of being dangerous. 

Nothing now prevented him from continuing on to at- 
tempt the double rescue, and he pressed forward through 
the thicket, on the alert each instant lest other sentinels 
should be near at hand. 

The crackling of rifles in the rear told that Espinosa 
had begun the battle, and Dale shuddered as he thought 
of what the result must be in case the Greasers suc- 
ceeded in firing the building. 

“It’s no use to worry about them,” he said to himself 
as he hurried on. “I’ve got enough to do myself, and be- 
fore night may be in a worse position than they are.” 

Fortune favored him during the journey. 

He did not see any of the enemy, save at a distance, 
and these were readily avoided by making detours 
through the thicket. 


A Knife-thrust. 


167 

The life-struggle with the Greaser had delayed him 
quite a while, but yet he arrived at the mouth of the 
abandoned mine before his friends believed it time for his 
return. 

“Hello !” he shouted, as he leaned over the aperture. 

“Is that you, Dale?” Barstow whispered. 

“Yes, and I’ve got the lariat.” 

“Make one end fast to a tree, and send the other 
down.” 

“Can you get up without my help ?” 

“If the rope is long enough we oughter do it or be 
obleeged to stay here the rest of our natural days.” 

Dale obeyed the order, and in a few moments the ranch- 
man came up hand over hand, shaking himself when he 
reached the surface much as a dog after a bath. 

“You’ve done us a good turn, lad, for it was big 
chances that we’d never be found. I come mighty nigh 
givin’ up hope after we’d yelled ourselves hoarse. It 
didn’t seem as if anybody but the Greasers could hear us.” 

By this time Eph’s bullet-shaped head appeared above 
the surface, and he gave vent to a deep sigh of relief on 
finding himself once more in the open air. 

“Where are Espinosa’s scoundrels?” he asked. 

“Attacking Howland’s ranch.” 

“I reckon we oughter take a hand in the scrimmage.” 

“You couldn’t get inside. They have surrounded it 
completely, and are trying to set the buildings on fire. 
Besides, we have more important work just now.” 

“Sich as what ?” 


i68 


A Knife-thrust. 


“Did your fall into the shaft cause you to forget every- 
thing ?” Dale asked, angrily. 

“Not by a long shot, if you mean Miss Nina; but I 
allow anything of that kind had better be put off till 
Howland’s men whip the life outer them Greasers.” 

“And if they should fail, our chances would be gone. 
I think we couldn’t have a better opportunity than now, 
when the camp is guarded only by a few sentinels.” 

“You’re right, lad. Now, if ever, is the time to strike, 
but it won’t do to rush in without kinder prospectin’ a 
little. I’ll scout round a bit, an’ ” 

“I have done that already, and not only know the lay 
of the land, but have managed to let Nina know we are 
ready to help her.” 

Then Dale told briefly what he had done since his com- 
panions disappeared so mysteriously, and when he spoke 
of the hand-to-hand fight, touching upon it lightly, as if 
the affair was but trifling, Barstow said in a tone of ad- 
miration: 

“You’ve got sand, lad, an’ I’ll stand by you to the last 
to see you get what we have found.” 

“You mean the mine?” 

“Yes, an’ it’ll pan out bigger than anything I ever saw 
before.” 

“Why, there’s free silver enough to set you way up 
among the nobs,” Eph added. 

“Never mind that now,” Dale replied, impatiently. 
“We must rescue that poor girl before we talk about 
mines or anything else.” 

“Go ahead, an’ we’ll be at your heels,” Barstow said. 


A Knife-tlirust. 169 

“If you know of a good place to begin the music, strike 
out for it.” 

Dale did not stop to remove the lariat, but left it hang- 
ing from the tree into the shaft, as he set off at full speed, 
followed closely by his companions. 

In a very short time he was at the “thicket of bowl- 
ders” within full view of the enemy’s camp, and Bar- 
stow said, approvingly, as he crept through the labyrinth 
of gigantic rocks : 

“I reckon we’ll get the upper hand of them devils now, 
I’d come mighty nigh promisin’ to do it alone if the fight 
at Howland’s lasts long enough.” 

After a short search the three found a spot from which 
the entire encampment could be seen without exposure 
of themselves, and Dale eagerly searched with his eyes 
for Nina. 

She was still sitting beneath the rude shelter, but in 
such a position that any one among the bowlders might 
see her readily, and the boy’s heart beat high as he under- 
stood that she was waiting for him. 

At the opposite side of the encampment were four 
sentinels, while here and there, where the prisoners could 
be kept under surveillance, were the Greasers who had 
been so badly wounded as to unfit them for active duty. 

The entire number of Espinosa’s gang thus left behind 
might have been ten, perhaps a dozen, and it was more 
than reasonable to suppose all were well armed. 

“Well?” Dale asked, as he saw that Barstow was 
mentally figuring the chances for or against them. 

“It can be done,” the ranchman replied, musingly, “but 


A Knife-thrust. 


170 

not by a rush, as I had counted on when we first struck 
this place. There’s force enough to hold us up, no mat- 
ter how hard we try.” 

“Have you any plan?” 

“Of course I have, lad. You oughtn’t to think I’ve 
been settin’ here like a bump on a log when there’s so 
much work to be done an’ time is short. I count on 
your creepin’ down to where Miss Nina is, an’ when me 
an’ Eph open the picnic you must get her away.” 

“Where?” 

“The old mine wouldn’t be a bad place ; I don’t reckon 
the Greasers could find it, no matter how long they might 
hunt.” 

“What will you do?” 

“Jine you if we can. In case we don’t, count us out, 
for our toes will be turned up rather than let them devils 
hold us prisoners.” 

“It seems cowardly for me to run away and leave you 
to do all the fighting.” 

“You may have plenty of it before the dance is over, 
but in case that don’t happen you’ll be doin’ your share. 
It’s Miss Nina we’re after, an’ the one who sneaks her 
off will be doin’ his full share of the work.” 

Dale had no further objections to make. 

He began to crawl toward the camp, under shelter of 
the bowlders, when Barstow stopped him. 

“If you could let her know that we’re all here it might 
help along.” 

Dale knew how that could be done, for if anything 


A Knife-thrust. 


171 

were thrown from the rocks Nina would understand who 
sent it, and he arose cautiously to his knees. 

Waiting for a favorable opportunity, he threw a small 
stone, and had the satisfaction of seeing it strike close 
beside her. 

She looked up quickly, kissed the tips of her fingers as 
she waved them toward the bowlders, and Barstow said, 
approvingly : 

“That settles it, an’ you can go ahead ; she’ll be waitin’. 
Keep out of sight as long as possible, an’ when you make 
a rush we’ll take a hand. Eph an’ I can hold ’em back a 
few minutes, I reckon.” 

Again Dale started. 

Making his way through the miniature canons, he was 
able to move quite rapidly, and at the same time screen 
himself from view of the enemy. 

In the distance could be heard the reports of firearms, 
telling that the defenders of Howland’s were making a 
spirited resistance, and, what was better still, that the 
leader of the gang had too much work on hand just then 
to be able to pay any attention to his camp. 

Barstow and Eph moved forward a short distance be- 
hind the boy, watching his every movement, that they 
might be ready when the decisive moment arrived. 

Dale reached the end of the rift where he must emerge 
in full view of the sentinels. 

He could see Nina looking expectantly in that direc- 
tion. 

The Mexicans were not watching the prisoners intently, 
but were engaged in listening to the sounds of the con- 


172 


A Knife-tlirust. 


flict, as if by them they could learn how the battle was 
progressing. 

“It’s now or never,” he said to himself, as he mentally 
prepared for the daring venture. 

Rising quickly to his feet, the rifle thrown over his 
shoulder, and the revolver in his hand, he darted for- 
ward. 

Nina saw him coming, and ran to meet him. 

The two were hardly more than a dozen yards apart, 
when the report of a rifle was heard, and in another in- 
stant it seemed to Dale as if every man in the encamp- 
ment was discharging his weapons. 


CHAPTER XXII. 


IN HIDING. 

At the moment when Dale started to his feet from be- 
hind the bowlders, Barstow and Eph prepared for action 
by leveling their weapons in the direction of the sentinels. 

The boy had traversed half the necessary distance be- 
fore the Greasers saw him, and then one of them raised 
his rifle. 

He had no opportunity to take aim, for on the instant 
the ranchman’s weapon was discharged, and the fellow 
fell forward with a bullet in his brain. 

This was the signal for a general battle. 

The Greasers were ready, and not averse to a scrim- 
mage, but they fancied a large number were concealed 
among the bowlders, therefore they paid but little atten- 
tion to Dale. As a matter of fact, not more than one or 
two knew he was within the encampment, so eager were 
they to repulse the apparently well-planned attack from 
the direction of the rocks. 

On his part, Dale believed all the men were firing at 
him, and wondered not a little that none of the bullets 
came near. 

Nina heeded not the shower of missiles. Death was 
preferable to such a captivity, and the only danger she 
feared was that the rescue might not be effected. 


174 


In Hiding. 


“I knew you would come, even though I told you not 
to!” she cried, seizing the hand Dale extended toward 
her. 

“Nothing could have prevented me; but there is no 
time to talk. Can you run ?” 

“Yes, yes. Where shall I go?” 

“Follow me!” 

Clasping her about the waist, Dale started at full speed 
toward the bowlders, literally dragging her a portion of 
the way, and once behind the shelter of the rocks he 
halted. 

“Don’t stop here!” Eph cried. “We’ll ’tend to this 
part of the game, an’ you keep on.” 

“Miss Nina is safe with us, and I can help you.” 

“She isn’t safe, for we may be overpowered,” Bar- 
stow cried, sternly, as he reloaded his weapon. “Do the 
part of the work you agreed upon, and we’ll join you 
soon.” 

The ranchman’s head was exposed as he spoke, and 
Dale saw one of the wounded Greasers taking careful aim 
at the mark. 

Firing at random, he succeeded in crippling the fellow 
yet further, and Bar stow said, in a matter-of-fact tone, 
as he turned to see what the boy had shot at : 

“I reckon you helped me a bit then, lad, but that don’t 
give you the privilege of stayin’. Get along the best you 
know how, for there’s no tellin’ when the whole gang 
may be on us.” 

The suggestion of such a possibility was sufficient to 


In Hiding. 175 

decide Dale, and he said, as he clasped Nina's waist once 
more: 

“We must go; the distance isn't far, but if Espinosa 
should come back, as Barstow says, there’ll be no chance 
of covering it.” 

“I am ready,” was the reply, and the two set off, Dale 
keeping within the shelter of the bowlders, for the bullets 
were flying in every direction. 

“Where are you taking me?” Nina asked, when they 
had left the thicket of rocks, and were among the foliage. 

“To the shaft of an abandoned mine which Barstow 
and Eph found. You will not be afraid to enter it?” 

“I am ready to go anywhere with you to defend me,” 
was the reply, which caused Dale’s heart to beat yet more 
rapidly, and at that moment he felt as if he could van- 
quish, single-handed, Espinosa’s entire force. 

The nearer they approached the proposed hiding-place 
the louder sounded the guns from Howland’s, and Dale 
said, in a tone of satisfaction : 

“Even though the manager was afraid to venture out, 
he is giving the Greasers a hard fight, and perhaps may 
whip them so thoroughly that we sha’n’t have any more 
trouble.” 

Then Nina wanted to know what was being done, and 
by the time Dale had finished telling her of the peril which 
menaced the defenders of the ranch, the two were at the 
mouth of the shaft. 

“I shall tie one end of this lariat around your waist, and 
lower you in,” he said, as he pulled the rope up. 

Nina advanced to the edge of the aperture boldly. 


176 


In Hiding. 


“Until it is safe to travel toward your home. Just now 
it would be the height of imprudence, for there’s no tell- 
ing whether Espinosa may not be bolder than ever when 
this battle is ended.” 

The lariat was firmly knotted, and Dale swung his fair 
companion over the yawning mouth of the shaft. 

“Shut your eyes,” he said. 

“There’s no need of that ; I’m not afraid.” 

With his feet braced against a tree, and the lariat 
rubbing the edge of the shaft, Dale allowed the girl to 
descend slowly. 

“Ward off with your hands, or you may be hurt,” he 
cried, and from the aperture came the clear, firm voice of 
her whom he would have yielded up his life to save : 

“I can do that easily. My weight must make your 
arms ache.” 

“You are as light as a feather.” 

She was at the bottom, and Dale leaned over to hear 
that she was safe. 

Instead of the expected words, there came a loud shriek 
of fear, and he shouted: 

“What is the matter? Are you hurt?” 

“No — no ; but — but — there’s a dead man here !” 

“I had forgotten that. It is the Greaser who tumbled 
in with Barstow.” 

“Can’t you come down and take it away ?” 

Dale had no idea how the corpse could be removed, 
but he descended the rope swiftly, as if positive the task 
could be readily accomplished. 

Arriving at the bottom, he found Nina crouching as 


In Hiding. 


17 7 


near the side of the shaft as possible, and the few rays of 
light which came from above revealed the repulsive ob- 
ject. 

It was not possible for Dale to do more than pull the 
corpse aside and cover the face, after which he said, as he 
led his companion into the tunnel which branched off 
from the main opening: 

“When Barstow and Eph come we will take it away, 
but you must try to be brave a while longer.” 

“You won’t leave me?” and she clasped his hand nerv- 
ously. 

“Not a bit of it. We’ll stay together till the others ar- 
rive.” 

“Perhaps we shall never see them again.” 

“I’ll guarantee that they come out of the scrimmage 
all right; but if anything should happen to them, we 
ought to be able to give Espinosa the slip. I’m hoping 
he will get the worst of it at Howland’s.” 

Nina did not seem to think this probable, but she made 
no further remark, and the two sat side by side waiting 
for some sign from their friends. 

Fully half-an-hour elapsed before the welcome sounds 
were heard, and then a voice from above hailed them. 

“Are you all right, Dale ?” 

“We’re here. Are you hurt?” 

“We got off without a scratch. Stand one side while 
I come down.” 

A moment later Barstow was at the bottom of the shaft, 
and almost before he could speak Eph stood behind him. 

“Did you whip the entire crowd?” Dale asked, eagerly. 


i 7 8 


In Hiding. 

“I can’t say we made out quite as well as that, but we 
gave them all they wanted before sayin’ good-by. They 
have got enough to take up their minds for the next five 
or six hours pullin’ lead out of each other. We thought 
it was time to leave, owin’ to the chances of Espinosa’s 
cornin’ back, an’ so tried your game.” 

“Did they follow?” 

“Not a bit of it. I reckon they won’t want to leave 
camp till the whole gang are together once more.” 

“Do you know how they are getting on at Howland’s ?” 

“The rifles are still crackin’, which shows the Greasers 
haven’t got inside yet; but I didn’t dare to take the 
chances of scoutin’ around.” 

Neither the ranchman nor Eph seemed disposed to 
boast of their exploits among the bowlders, but Dale knew 
both had given a good account of themselves during the 
unequal engagement. 

The question as to how long they should stay hiding 
was dismissed by Barstow in a very few words, as he 
said: 

“Wait till night. Then I’ll have a look around, and if 
the coast is anywhere nigh clear, we’ll light out. What 
have we got in the way of grub; I’m hungry enough to 
eat a burro, pack an’ all.” 

There was but little chance he could appease his ap- 
petite then. 

The only provisions were the remnants of those given 
by Dale when he started for the ranch, and these were 
not more than Eph could have swallowed at one mouthful. 

The party discussed the question of Espinosa’s sue- 


179 


In Hiding. 

cess or lailure, neither speaking of the desire all felt for 
food and water, until Eph said, as he went toward the 
lariat : 

“I can’t stand this any longer. There won’t be any 
harm in takin’ a look around, an’ I may be able to bring 
good news, even if grub is lacking.” 

Barstow tried to persuade him to wait, but in vain. 

Ascending the rope hand over hand, he disappeared 
from view, and the ranchman said, impatiently : 

“There goes as good a fellow as ever lived, but he’s so 
cussed headstrong that there’s no tellin’ when he’ll get 
himself an’ us into trouble.” 

Dale understood that such a remark might alarm Nina, 
and he hastened to change the subject by saying: 

“You told me this was the mine my father discovered. 
How did you know?” 

“Come this way, an’ I’ll show you.” 

The ranchman, lighting a match, was on the point of 
going further up the tunnel, when a noise was heard from 
the mouth of the shaft, and an instant later Eph literally 
tumbled down, saving himself from an ugly fall only by 
clutching the lariat in his descent. 

“What’s up now?” Barstow asked , angrily, as the lat- 
ter scrambled to his feet. 

“Espinosa’s whole gang are under cover of the bushes, 
an’ I run right on them.” 

“Did they see you?” 

“Of course, an’ were so nigh behind that I had to fall 
instead of droppin’ down by the rope, otherwise I’d been 
chuck full of lead by this time.” 


i8o 


In Hiding. 


“It’s a pity you lived long enough to get here. Now 
the Greasers know where we are, an’, without food or 
water, they’re likely to have the best of us in short order.” 

Eph made no reply. 

He knew he had made an error which might prove 
fatal to all, and was ready to listen to any reproaches 
which might be heaped upon his head. 

“Perhaps they won’t see the shaft,” Dale suggested. 
“It took me a long while to find it.” 

“There’s no sich good luck. They know he didn’t 
drop through the solid ground, an’ ” 

The sentence was never completed, for at that instant 
the report of a rifle was heard, and a bullet buried itself 
in the side of the shaft within an inch or two of Nina’s 
head. 

“They’ve got us foul, an’ there’s nothin’ for them to do 
but shoot us down or starve us out,” Barstow said, 
grimly. “The job won’t be a long one, whichever way 
they work it.” 


CHAPTER XXIII. 


AT BAY. 

Even as Barstow spoke, half-a-dozen rifle-shots were 
heard, and the bullets descended in a shower, which was 
neither pleasant nor safe. 

Dale’s first thought was of Nina, and he hastily drew 
her further into the tunnel, where there was no danger of 
her being wounded. 

The ranchman and Eph sheltered themselves by retir- 
ing a few paces, but remained where it was possible to 
hear all that might be going on above. 

“Will they come down here after us?” Nina asked, in 
a tone of fear, for to her the worst misfortune which 
might occur was that of falling again into Espinosa’s 
power. 

“There’s no chance of that,” Dale replied, reassuringly. 
“The Greasers know only too well that we could kill them 
as fast as they came without stirring out of our tracks, 
and they put too much value on their bodies to take such 
risks.” 

“Then there is little danger of our being killed by 
bullets?” 

“None whatever, as long as we stay here,” Dale replied, 
but he took good care not to add that which was in his 
mind. 


lS2 


At Bay. 


It was starvation which confronted them, and this 
terrible death was foreshadowed by an act that caused 
Eph to cry, in dismay : 

“They’ve pulled up the lariat, and we have no means of 
leavin’ here until they are ready to let us.” 

“Don’t count on gittin’ an invitation to go to the sur- 
face from that gang,” Barstow said, grimly. “They 
wouldn’t like any better sport than to hear us beggin’ to 
be let out.” 

“They’ll never hear it from me,” Eph replied. “I 
brought this thing on all hands, an’, while it’s impossible 
to change it now, I won’t disgrace you by cryin’ baby.” 

“What has been done can’t be helped, so don’t blame 
yourself when we’re in such a tight box,” Dale cried, en- 
couragingly. 

Before a reply could be made a voice was heard from 
the mouth of the shaft : 

“Hello, down there!” 

Nina recognized the tones, and, clinging to Dale, she 
sobbed. 

“Don’t let him take me away ! Don’t let him !” 

“Never fear about that,” the boy replied. “You are 
safe so long as one of us remains alive, and before he can 
get at you a bullet shall put you out of the reach of what 
would be worse than the most abject misery.” 

“Yes, yes ; better death a thousand times than be in his 
power again !” 

It was Barstow who answered the Greaser’s hail, and 
in so doing he asked : 

“Well, what’s wanted?” 


At Bay. 183 

“The girl. Give her up, and I promise to leave your 
crowd alone.” 

“S’pose we don’t want to make the trade ?” 

“Then you shall be kept here to starve, if we can’t 
shoot you down.” 

“I reckon there’s a chance of holdin’ out quite a while.” 

“No matter how much water or provisions you have, 
they must finally be consumed, and what then ?” 

“Then we’ll shoot at each other, as I’m doing now !” 

As he spoke, Barstow discharged his revolver six 
times in rapid succession, firing at random up the shaft 
in the hope of hitting Espinosa, but that he failed in the 
attempt could be told, as a mocking laugh came from the 
surface, showing that the villain was still unharmed. 

“What a pity that I hadn’t more than six cartridges !” 
the ranchman said, in a tone of regret. “Perhaps one 
ball might have struck him if I’d fired twice as many.” 

“You shall learn what it is to brave me,” the Mexican 
cried from above, the sound of his voice telling that he 
was a safe distance away. “I will not leave this place 
until I know every one of your party is dead.” 

“Then you’ll stay a long while, an’ it isn’t certain some j 
of the crowd from Howland’s won’t hunt you up before 
that time comes.” 

“Those at the ranch will stay where they are,” was the 
mocking reply, and Eph said, in a low tone : 

“That shows the Greasers got the best of the fight. 
Most likely they’ve wiped the whole place out.” 

“It looks like it ; but at the same time I can’t think he’ll 


1 84 At Bay. 

dare to stay many days in these parts, for the ranchmen 
must be on his trail.” 

Barstow’s words failed to comfort the little party who 
were now at bay, for, unless aid came very quickly, they 
would not be alive to profit by it. 

During the next hour but few words were spoken, and 
then Barstow threw a handful of dirt out of the tunnel, 
thus making a noise which might have been mistaken for 
the movement of a man. 

Instantly three or four shots were fired, thus showing 
that the enemy were on the alert, and the stockman said, 
grimly : 

“Espinosa is keepin’ his word, an’ it proves he’s got 
the best of the fight, otherwise them devils wouldn’t dare 
to stay there.” 

No one had any comments to make on the result of his 
experiment. 

All realized to the utmost the hopelessness of the situa- 
tion, and at such a time words seemed but a mockery. 

Dale had forced Nina to sit down, and she clung to his 
arm as if the only chance for life depended upon keeping 
him by her side. 

Now and then he whispered some words of comfort; 
but she only replied by a pressure of the hand, and de- 
spite all the dangers which surrounded them, the mo- 
ments thus passed were very sweet to him. 

When the day dawned the prisoners were still occupy- 
ing the same relative positions as when darkness overtook 
them, and outlined against the gray sky could be seen the 
form of the sentinel who was standing guard over them. 


At Bay. 185 

‘There’s a chance to make the time pass more quickly,” 
Barstow said, as he pointed to the figure. “It ain’t 
square to let them have all the fun, an’ I’m goin’ to see 
what can be done with that fellow.” 

As patiently as a cat watches a mouse did he keep his 
eyes on the dim outlines, until the Greaser incautiously 
approached the mouth of the shaft to look down. 

The ranchman’s rifle was discharged; a cry of mortal 
anguish was heard, and the figure disappeared. 

“Espinosa had better send another man if he wants to 
keep us here,” Barstow said, quietly, as he reloaded his 
weapon. 

“Isn’t there a chance we can get out, now that he’s not 
able to harm us?” Dale asked. 

“How will you do it without the lariat?” 

This answer acted like a douche of cold water, and 
Dale, noticing the additional look of alarm on Nina’s face, 
asked, quickly : 

“Suppose you show me how you knew my father dis- 
covered this mine ? There’s nothing particular to do, for 
I don’t reckon the others will give you an opportunity for 
a shot, and almost anything is better than sitting here 
idle.” 

“Very well ; Eph shall stay on guard, for there may be 
another fool in the gang like the one I downed, and we 
can’t afford to miss a chance. We’ll want something for 
a flare, so pick up all the twigs you can reach without 
exposing yourselves.” 

A small armful of fuel was gathered, and Barstow car- 
ried it as he led Dale and. Nina to the further extremity 


1 86 At Bay. 

of the tunnel, which was not less than a hundred feet 
long. 

Here the ranchman built a small fire, and, as the flame 
, illuminated the place, he pointed to the side of the ex- 
cavation, where a huge, smooth rock had been left par- 
tially exposed. 

On this, cut rudely as if with a pocketknife, Dale read 
the following : 

On the twentieth day of June, I, Owen Wrightman, of Silver 
City, discovered this old shaft and tunnel, and do hereby lay 
claim to the same, warning all comers that the requirements of 
the law will soon be complied with. 

“Would such a notice as that prevent others from tak- 
ing possession if they had found it?” Dale asked, when he 
finally deciphered the scrawl. 

“Not sich as Espinosa, but an honest man would allow 
that your father had filed his claim in proper shape. 
Here she is, all yours now, an’ there’s metal enough in 
sight to make you rich, even if the lead is never worked.” 

That this statement was correct Dale could have no 
doubt, for free silver might be seen in every direction 
along the trend of the vein, which at this point appeared 
to be ten feet in diameter. 

Then the ranchman explained how it could be worked 
with but little outlay of money, and while he was engaged 
with these details Nina retraced her steps to where Eph 
stood guard. 

“It doesn’t promise to do us much good,” Dale said, 
when he was alone with Barstow. “Even if Espinosa 
should give up the attempt to recapture Nina, and leave 


At Bay. 187 

this portion of the country, how could we get out, now 
the lariat is gone?” 

“We must hit on some plan.” 

“But you didn’t succeed in doing so when you and Eph 
were here.” 

“You’re right, lad ; but then we were countin’ on makin’ 
you hear us. Now that we can’t look for outside help, 
we’re bound to buckle down to the question, for I don’t 
reckon on dyin’ here like rats in a trap.” 

“With neither provisions nor water, there isn’t much 
time to spare,” Dale replied, gloomily. 

“Now, don’t look on the wrong side of the matter. Go 
back, and send Eph here; between us we shall hit on 
somethin’.” 

Dale did as he was ordered, and he and Nina crouched 
near the edge of the shaft, where they would be screened 
from view, keeping watch on the shadows above. 

The boy tried to talk of other matters than their own 
desperate situation, but his companion persisted in dis- 
cussing the true position of affairs. 

“Is there any chance we can ever get out of here ?” she 
asked. 

“Barstow will hit on some plan, he feels confident.” 

“Do you think he can ?” 

“Yes,” Dale replied, trying unsuccessfully to speak in a 
firm tone; but Nina detected the slight hesitation, and 
said, decidedly : 

“I understand that you are trying to deceive me now, 
and it is useless. I would rather starve here than be in 


i88 


At Bay. 


Espinosa’s power again, therefore I shall not be fright- 
ened to know there is no hope for us.” 

This declaration had the effect of loosening Dale’s 
tongue, and he no longer attempted to hide from her the 
truth. 

“I can’t imagine how it is to be done,” he said, hope- 
lessly. “It would take a week to cut a way up the side 
of the shaft, and it would not be possible to begin even 
that work until we were certain Espinosa had left.” 

“How long could we live without food or water?” 

“I don’t know ; three or four days, perhaps.” 

“And then ” 

At this point a loud cry was heard from the tunnel, 
and, fearing some new disaster was about to befall them, 
Dale ran hastily along the passage, regardless of the fact 
that he was deserting his post of duty. 


CHAPTER XXIV. 


FOR LIBERTY. 

When Dale arrived at the end of the passage, he could 
see, thanks to the flames, Barstow and Eph talking ex- 
citedly, and he asked, nervously : 

“What’s the matter? I thought I heard somebody 
shout.” 

“So you did, lad,” the ranchman replied. “I was 
kinder celebratin’ the fact that I’d struck a lead what will 
bring us out of this.” 

“How do you mean to begin ?” 

“We can’t go by the shaft, that’s a fact, for if Espi- 
nosa’s gang should step one side, we couldn’t get up; so 
it’s elsewhere we must look, an’ I’ve found it.” 

“Where?” 

“What do you see on top of the rock where your father 
filed his claim ?” 

“Nothing but sand or gravel.” 

“Correct. Now, that stone is ten feet high, which 
leaves jest so much the less work to be done before we 
can take the back trail.” 

“I don’t understand you yet.” 

“It’s plain as the nose on a blind man’s face. I reckon 
we’ll run a shaft up through there.” 

“With neither pick nor shovel, it would take a month 
to do the job.” 


190 For Liberty. 

“In that case I’ll be way off in my calculations, for I’m 
figgerin’ on bein’ through by daylight.” 

“How?” 

“Simply by usin’ our knives. The dirt is loose, an’ we 
can let it fall back here in the tunnel. That’ll only be 
raising the level, an’ it won’t cost much to pull the whole 
lot out when we get ready to open the Last Chance Mine.” 

Barstow did not spend many moments in conversation. 

As he ceased speaking he began to attack the soft 
earth with his knife, bringing down large quantities at 
each blow, and Eph pushed it forward or back with his 
feet, building up the floor of the passage. 

“You’d better go back to the shaft, lad,” the latter said, 
after Dale had watched the work several moments. “We 
must know if the Greasers on guard suspect what’s bein’ 
done, an’ you should be where it’s possible to hear any- 
thing that may be said.” 

Dale’s heart was decidedly lighter when he rejoined 
Nina. 

The fact that something was being done toward effect- 
, ing their release cheered the girl quite as much as it had 
her companion, and instead of talking about the possi- 
bility of dying, they began upon the chance of evading 
Espinosa’s gang after emerging from the underground 
prison. 

Listen as he might, Dale could hear nothing from the 
outer world. 

That some of the Greasers were yet keeping guard he 
knew by the shadow which passed and repassed the mouth 


For Liberty. 191 

of the shaft, but, from all he could tell, the sentinel was 
alone. 

“The villains count on starving us into giving you up,” 
he said to Nina, and the latter asked: 

“Would you do such a thing when hunger caused great 
distress ?” 

“I had rather shoot you now.” 

“That would be more merciful ; but there is no need to 
speak of such a thing, for I feel certain the tunnel will be 
a success/’ 

The hours passed slowly, each bringing with it the 
most intense desire for food and drink. 

Now and then Nina went to the further end of the 
passage in order to report upon the progress of the labor, 
and, on the conclusion of one visit, she said, mournfully : 

“I am certain those poor fellows are suffering terribly 
for water. The perspiration is running down their faces 
in streams, but yet they work rapidly, without speaking. 
It seems as if they did not dare to talk, lest something 
should be said regarding the desire for a drink.” 

“How much have they done?” 

“I don’t know; but Barstow is out of sight, and the 
earth he sent down has filled the tunnel nearly to the top 
of the big rock.” 

Dale could form no true idea of the flight of time, but 
when it seemed to him that the day must be drawing to a 
close the ranchman came to the mouth of the shaft, 
literally reeking with perspiration, and looking nearly ex- 
hausted. 

“How near through are you ?” Dale asked, anxiously. 


192 


For Liberty. 

“The job is finished. I took good care not to break the 
surface, but there is not more than two inches over the 
mouth of our tunnel/’ 

“Didn’t you try to look out?” 

“No, for there would be too much risk in such a ven- 
ture. We’ll wait till after dark, and then try our luck.” 

“Do you have any idea where it leads to?” 

“From the roots of the trees we’ve been workin’ among 
I should say it’ll take us inside the thicket.” 

“You did the work quickly.” 

“The soil was so loose that it was a job soon done. In 
a few hours now we’ll be where all hands can roll in 
water, an’ I reckon none of us will ever taste anything 
sweeter. It seems as if my tongue was cracking with 
thirst.” 

Eph, looking triumphant, soon joined his comrades, 
and the little party sat near the shaft, watching for the 
shadows of night to fall. 

The time passed slowly, but finally the light died away, 
until a mantle of gloom was spread over the mouth of the 
aperture, and Barstow said, as he rose to his feet: 

“I reckon there’s no need to wait any longer. We’ll 
make the break now, an’ if the Greasers learn what we’re 
up to it’ll be a question of fightin’ till all hands are wiped 
out.” 

He led the way through the tunnel, the others following 
close behind, with their hearts beating like trip-hammers. 

The level had been raised until the little party were 
forced to walk up quite a steep incline before reaching the 
path which all hoped would lead to liberty. 


For Liberty. 193 

Barstow went first, crawling on his hands and knees. 
Dale followed next, with Nina very near, and Eph 
brought up the rear. 

There were places in this hastily constructed passage 
where considerable squeezing was necessary in order to 
get through, but no mishap occurred, and Barstow came 
to a halt. 

“We’re at the top,” he whispered to Dale. “I’ll break 
out an’ skirmish round a bit before you’re to follow.” 

A choking cloud of sand descended upon the heads of 
the remainder of the party, as he forced himself through 
the slight barrier, and during the next ten minutes the 
three waited in anxious suspense for the ranchman’s re- 
turn. 

The heat was stifling, the dust choked them until it 
seemed almost impossible to breathe ; but no one thought 
of complaining, since the end would mean so much. 

Just at the time when Dale began to fancy Barstow had 
been captured, he returned, whispering, as he bent over 
the excavation : 

“Come on, an’ move quickly. One of the Greasers is 
still on guard at the mouth of the shaft, but we are too 
far away to fear him.” 

“Did you see the rest of the gang?” Dale asked, as he 
emerged from the narrow passage, and turned to aid 
Nina. 

“No, it would be takin’ too much risk to hunt for ’em. 
Come on lively.” 

Nina soon emerged in the open air, and Eph followed, 


194 For Liberty. 

the latter whispering, as he drew in long breaths of the 
pure atmosphere : 

“That was a leetle the hottest job I ever struck. Half- 
an-hour longer an’ Td been roasted like an ox at a bar- 
becue.” 

“Don’t stop to chin now, but follow me the best you 
know how,” and Barstow set off through the thicket, with 
the air of one who is thoroughly familiar with the locality. 

During half-an-hour he traveled rapidly, stopping now 
and then to listen for sounds betokening danger, but 
each instant gaining something in the flight. 

At the end of this time they were at the edge of the 
timber where Dale had the duel with Espinosa’s scout, 
and that which they saw told there was no hope of aid 
from those who had defended Howland’s ranch. 

A dull glow marked the spot where the buildings once 
stood, and Barstow exclaimed, as he gazed upon the evi- 
dences of devastation : 

“That Greaser Espinosa oughter be cooked to death 
over them coals. Hangin’ or shootin’ is too good for such 
as him.” 

“Do you suppose all hands were killed?” Nina asked, 
in a tone of awe. 

“I don’t reckon it was quite so bad as that. The men 
could make a break for it when they found the buildings 
were fired ; but many a good fellow has gone down before 
this thing was done.” 

“There’s no use in our standing here looking at the 
fire,” Dale said, impatiently. “If Espinosa has been vic- 
torious, then all the more reason why he can spend the 


For Liberty. 195 

time hunting us down. We must make as many miles as 
possible before daylight.” 

"We can’t travel without grub or water. The Greasers 
have finished their business at the ranch, an’ we sha’n’t 
be takin’ many risks by goin’ over.” 

“What for?” 

“To get the stuff we need before startin’. It ain’t likely 
the villains have cleaned up everything, an’ we’ll be play- 
in’ in mighty hard luck not to find a bite an’ a drink.” 

Neither Dale nor Nina thought it safe to visit the 
ruined ranch while Espinosa was in the vicinity, but Bar- 
stow felt so confident there would be no particular danger 
that they could not refuse to accompany him. 

The scene which met their gaze when they arrived at 
that portion of the ranch illuminated by the yet glowing 
embers was a sad one. 

Here and there the body of a man told what a brave re- 
sistance had been made. 

The household goods, scattered and destroyed, lay on 
all sides, and one could well fancy the work of pillage 
when the Greasers finally succeeded in entering. 

“There’s no use huntin’ for terrible things,” Barstow 
said, as he noted the shudder which passed over Nina’s 
slender frame. “We must have grub, and that only is to 
be looked for. All hands turn to, and the sooner we are 
out of here the better.” 

Dale and Nina went in one direction, while the two 
men set off in different courses, and the first named, to 
his great delight, soon found a spring of water, which 


196 For Liberty. 

seemed more precious just then than all the treasure in 
Last Chance Mine. 

Both knelt upon the ground, plunging their heads be- 
neath the surface of the cool liquid as they drank, and 
the intense pleasure of quenching thirst had not been ex- 
hausted, when Dale heard a voice behind him say, in a 
tone of exultation : 

“So Fve got you without having to wait many hours ? 
Up with your hands ! both of you, or I’ll fire !” 

It was Espinosa ! 


CHAPTER XXV. 
dale’s brave fight. 

Dale knew only too well that an order to “hold up your 
hands” is not to be trifled with, and he obeyed at the 
same instant he arose to his feet and wheeled half- 
around, facing the speaker. 

The Mexican must have been in the vicinity of the 
ruins when the little party came within the circle of light 
cast by the embers, and had probably followed the two 
young members in the hope of finding them at a safe 
distance from the two men. 

Fortune had favored him in this respect at least, and 
now he stood looking with a triumphantly wicked smile 
on his face, first at Dale, and then Nina. 

“Don’t make the mistake of trying to alarm your 
friends,” he said, in a low tone. “At the first word you 
or the girl might make, I would shoot one and carry away 
the other before assistance could come.” 

“Well, what do you intend to do?” Dale asked, speak- ■ 
ing as calmly as possible. 

“Slit your throat, and then take my prisoner back to 
camp.” 

“In that case I can’t see what I gain by holding my 
tongue. I may as well shout for help, and take the 
chances of getting a bullet, which would be a preferable 
death.” 


198 


Dale’s Brave Fight. 

Some such thought was in Nina’s mind also, and, with 
a loud, shrill scream, she turned sharply past the villain, 
running at full speed in the direction taken by Barstow 
and Eph. 

Espinosa involuntarily wheeled around as if intending 
to pursue, and for an instant lost sight of Dale. 

The latter knew this was the only chance he had for 
life, and, bending all his energies in the effort, he sprang 
upon the Greaser, alighting fairly upon his shoulders. 

It was a mistake such as the scoundrel had never made 
before, and was likely to cost him dearly. 

The force of the blow sent him headlong to the earth, 
and Dale clung to his arms with the energy of despair, 
for if the fellow could succeed in breaking the hold ever 
so slightly his adversary would not have many seconds to 
live. 

In the meanwhile Nina was running past the ruins of 
the buildings, screaming loudly, and even as he struggled 
to keep the prisoner down Dale could hear Barstow’s an- 
swering cry. 

Espinosa put forth every plan to shake off his antag- 
onist; but the boy was laboring to save himself from 
death, and the girl he had rescued from something worse, 
and his strength was redoubled by the thought of how 
much depended upon his efforts. 

Twice Espinosa nearly succeeded in rolling over to 
bring his enemy undermost, but each attempt resulted in 
failure. 

Bravely as he was working, Dale knew he could not re- 


Dale’s Brave Fight. 199 

tain his advantage many moments longer, and began to 
aid Nina in summoning help. 

“Come quickly, or he’ll get the best of me!” 

“You are right,” the Greaser panted; “but they won’t 
arrive in time.” 

Now Dale realized that the same cries which sum- 
moned his friends would also warn Espinosa’s gang, and 
the chances of being able to avenge his father’s death 
seemed slight. 

It was just at the moment when hope had almost de- 
serted him, although his strength still remained, that Eph 
arrived upon the scene. 

“Who have you got?” he asked, speaking with difficulty 
because of his heavy breathing. 

“Espinosa. Blow the snake’s brains out. He admits 
having killed father.” 

“Then a bullet is too quick a way of sending him into 
the next world,” Eph said, in a business-like tone, as he 
seized the struggling Greaser by the throat, and de- 
liberately began to choke him. “Here comes Barstow, 
an’ we’ll soon give him a taste of what he’s dealt out so 
often to others.” 

“But the rest of the gang may be here at any moment.” 

“Then it won’t take long to kill the rascal ; but till we’re 
obleeged to, I don’t want to wipe him out.” 

Barstow was on the scene of action by this time, and 
understood the situation at a glance. 

He evidently shared Eph’s ideas in regard to the man- 
ner in which the Greaser should be sent to his last ac- 
count, for, instead of dealing the death-blow, he began to 


200 


Dale’s Brave Fight. 

pinion the prisoner with some bits of old lariats which 
were scattered about near at hand. 

“There!” he said, in a tone of satisfaction, when the 
task was completed and Espinosa lay on the ground un- 
able to move hand or foot, “I reckon that’s the best job 
we’ve done since startin’ out on this trip. It was a good 
thing you didn’t choke him to death, Eph.” 

“I know too much for that; sich a thing as he is 
mustn’t die easy.” 

“But his men will soon be here,” Dale cried. “Some 
of them must have been near enough to hear our shouts, 
and what kind of a show do we stand against that whole 
gang?” 

“None whatever,” Espinosa said, with a snarl. “You 
are trapped, and will never leave this place alive.” 

“That remains to be seen, my friend,” Barstow replied, 
as he seized the fellow by the shirt collar, and began 
dragging him toward the half-burned ruins of one of the 
out-buildings. 

“Take care!” Eph shouted, warningly. “Here comes 
two of the desperadoes, ridin’ as if their master was 
after ’em.” 

“You an’ Dale hold ’em in check, while I get this one 
and the girl under cover.” 

The ranchman had not ceased speaking before Eph 
discharged his rifle. 

It was a snap shot, but it brought down the pony, and 
the rider, scrambling to his feet, ran off at full speed, 
followed by a bullet from Dale’s revolver. 

The other man evidently thought it wise to get rein- 


Dale’s Brave Fight. 


201 


forcements before opening battle, and he rode back 
rapidly, Espinosa shouting after him a long string of 
Spanish oaths, which would have killed, if the speaker’s 
desires could have been gratified. 

“That puts an end to our leavin’ this place to-night,” 
Eph said, half to himself. “The rest of the crowd will 
soon be here, and then I reckon we’ll see some hot work.” 

“Have you got any ammunition?” Dale asked, as he 
followed his friend toward the place Barstow had selected 
at which to make a stand. 

“Enough to run us through the night. I allow Espi- 
nosa has got a belt full, an’ that’ll help out considerable.” 

When the two reached the ruins it was seen that in the 
short time Barstow had put it in a reasonably good condi- 
tion to serve as a barricade. 

The charred timbers which had fallen on the inside 
were piled up where the walls seemed weakest, and the 
ranchman was engaged filling up the opening that served 
as a doorway. 

“We oughter be able to give a good account of our- 
selves here,” he said, grimly, “for I don’t allow they’ll 
fight very brisk after we get things in shape.” 

Dale failed to understand the meaning of this remark, 
and was considerably mystified at seeing Barstow begin 
to lash Espinosa securely to one of the heavier timbers. 

“There isn’t much chance of his getting away, even if 
you don’t make him fast there,” he said. 

“I know that, lad ; but you see it’s part of my plan to 
make this scoundrel help us hold the fort. Come here, 


202 Dale’s Brave Fight. 

Eph, an’ give me a lift !” he added, as his work was com- 
pleted. 

The two men then lifted the timber with the Greaser 
tied to it in such a manner that he could not slip down, 
placing it in a position where it nearly closed the aper- 
ture through which Dale had entered. 

Espinosa, held upright by the rope under his arms, was 
now several feet above the ground, and in such a posi- 
tion that he could see all which was going on outside, at 
the same time his men might have a full view of him. 

“There, what do you think of that?” Barstow asked, 
with a laugh. “It’ll worry him a bit, if the bullets fly 
too thick, an’, unless some of his gang have a grudge 
ag’in him, I don’t allow there’ll be very much shooting.” 

“They shall fire through my body rather than let you 
escape,” the prisoner said, bitterly. 

“Very well, my friend, we’ll stand it, if you can, an’ 
be sorry you got off so easy ; but I don’t count on your 
bein’ killed the first shot, so we’ll have some satisfaction 
out of your worthless carcass.” 

The ranchman’s work was not yet completed. 

He directed Dale and Eph to make a screen of tim- 
bers in one corner of the cleared space, in order to shelter 
Nina from the bullets, and when she declared that she 
would take the same chances as the others, he laughingly 
promised to lash her to a timber also, rather than run the 
risk of her being killed by a stray shot. 

“We’ve had too much trouble in getting you to have 
an accident happen, miss, an’ in there you must go when 
the Greasers open the ball.” 


203 


Dale’s Brave Fight. 

“Will you set me free, if I promise to leave this section 
of the country with all my men, and make no attempt to 
harm you or the girl?” Espinosa asked, suddenly. 

“So? Given up the desire to die, in order to serve us 
out, eh?” 

“A live dog is better than a dead lion.” 

“So I think ; but in this case you’ll be a dead dog in- 
stead of a lion, for if your crowd should happen to get 
the upper hands, you’ll be wiped out before I give up the 
fight.” 

The Greaser made no more appeals. 

Dale fancied that he had grown paler, and believed he 
could see a look of fear on the face of the fellow who had 
always boasted he never knew what it was to be afraid. 

The little party completed such preparations as it was 
possible to make before Espinosa’s men appeared. 

As nearly as could be judged, the entire gang had come 
out in search of the fugitives, but it yet remained to be 
seen whether they were aware of the fact that their leader 
was a prisoner. 

The Greasers rode slowly around the collection of ruins, 
evidently trying to decide where the enemy had sought 
shelter, and, when the circle was completed, Barstow dis- 
charged his rifle, tumbling one of the party out of his 
saddle. 

“Thought I’d kinder telegraph to ’em where we’d gone, 
so’s to save valuable time,” he said, grimly, as he re- 
loaded the weapon. 

A shower of bullets was the reply to this challenge, 


204 


Dale’s Brave Fight. 

and the ping of the missiles around him broke the slight 
remnant of courage Espinosa had left. 

He shouted loudly some command in Spanish, which 
was answered by one of his followers, and then it was 
as if the entire body of horsemen had suddenly been J 
turned into statues, so motionless did they stand gazing 
at the figure fastened to the timber. 


CHAPTER XXVI. 


BAFFLED. 

Not until Espinosa called the attention of the men to 
his helpless condition did they understand the position of 
affairs. 

The night was dark, the embers burning low, and the 
ruins of the building, hastily converted into an impromptu 
fort, were so far in the shade that the features of a man 
could not have been recognized at any great distance; 
hence their ignorance until he spoke. 

It was a plan worthy their own refined cruelty, but they 
appeared surprised that any one else should have con- 
ceived it. 

The entire party came as near as seemed consistent with 
safety, and stood gazing at their helpless chief, the sound 
of their voices, as they discussed the change in affairs, be- 
ing plainly heard by the besieged. 

Now and then one would ride swiftly past the ruins to 
make certain it was really the bold Espinosa who had been 
fastened to a timber like some of his own victims, and 
with each such attempt to gain knowledge the main body 
would the more eagerly comment upon the matter, until 
the buzz of conversation sounded like the hum of angry 
bees. 

“I thought that would puzzle 'em,” Barstow said, with 


206 


Baffled. 


a chuckle of delight, as he took careful aim at a horseman 
who was dashing by, and missed the mark. “There’s a 
bullet wasted, which is clear extravagance, for sich things 
may count a good bit before this dance is ended.” 

Regardless of the “extravagance,” Eph and Dale 
opened fire on the main body, and, learning that they were 
within range, the Greasers fell back; but whether or no 
they had returned to camp could not be ascertained in the 
darkness. 

“I’ve got some business outside,” the stockman said, 
as the men disappeared. “Keep your eyes skinned while 
I’m away.” 

“Don’t run any risks,” Dale replied, as he laid his hand 
on Barstow’s arm. “We’ve done too much of that since 
this chase was begun.” 

“You an’ Eph have, but I reckon I’ve been mighty cau- 
tious. It’s my turn now.” 

“When I acted rashly was while Miss Nina was in that 
scoundrel’s power. Now we’ve rescued her it is neces- 
sary to be very careful.” 

“You’re right, lad,” the stockman replied, gravely. “I 
promise not to get us into another snarl ; but it stands us 
in hand to prepare for a long siege, an’ I’m goin’ to scout 
around for grub an’ sich like. There ain’t much chance 
them cusses will make a rush till after they’ve talked this 
matter over a good bit.” 

Dale made no further attempt to detain him, for he 
knew how important it was they should have the means 
of sustaining life so long as the Greasers might continue 
the siege, and the stockman departed. 


Baffled 


207 


All three of those left behind now stood watch, strain- 
ing their eyes in the darkness to discover the first signs of 
the enemy’s approach, in order that Barstow should have 
timely warning. 

At the end of half-an-hour a dim shadow was seen in 
the distance, moving directly across the front of the ruins. 

This was followed by a second and a third, all of whom 
took up stations out of range, where a watch could be 
maintained. 

“They’ve posted sentinels so we can’t give them the slip, 
and take the -prisoner with us,” Dale said, when the 
shadows were motionless, and Eph added : 

“I’m going to invite one of ’em to move on. He don’t 
make the best kind of a target on a night like this, but it 
won’t do any harm to try.” 

“You mustn’t attempt anything of the kind,” Dale said, 
nervously, as he struck up Eph’s weapon. 

“Why not?” 

“Barstow would think an attack was about to be made, 
and rush back just at a time, perhaps, when he is doing 
something important.” 

“All right, I won’t fire, but it seems mighty hard not to 
have a go at a thing like that,” and Eph lowered his 
weapon sulkily. 

A moment later the stockman returned, bringing with 
him a small supply of bacon, hard biscuits, and cold baked 
meat. 

“I had found these jest at the time you tackled our 
friend on the timber, an’ thought I wouldn’t try to bring 
’em away while you was busy. Here’s what’ll last a 


208 


Baffled. 


couple of days, unless Eph is struck with one of his 
ruinous appetites, when the whole lot’s bound to go at a 
sweep.” 

“Where did you get them ?” Dale asked. 

“From what’s left of the pantry. That end of the 
house ain’t burned as bad as this, an’ we could get at 
grub enough to keep us six months. I found a jug, an’ 
am goin’ after water. Has anything happened ?” 

Dale told him of the sentinels, and the news appeared 
to relieve his mind instead of causing additional anxiety. 

“I reckon it shows they don’t intend to make any move 
till mornin’. Get things ready for supper while I’m 
gone.” 

He disappeared in the darkness, and Nina, who had in- 
sisted that it was her duty to “set the table,” was on the 
point of beginning the work, when the report of a rifle 
rang out sharply from the rear of the building. 

“They are after Barstow,” Dale cried, as he ran to the 
entrance, and began hurriedly pulling away the barri- 
cade. 

“What are you doin’ ?” and Eph dragged the boy back 
quickly. 

“We can’t leave him alone.” 

“That’s jest what we must do, for most likely there are 
a dozen waitin’ to jump in the minute we leave. It’ll be 
mighty tough if Barstow has run into a nest of the snakes, 
but we’re bound to look out for ourselves an’ the girl.” 

It was evident that Espinosa believed a concerted at- 
tack was about to be made, in order to effect his release, 
for he began shouting loudly in Spanish. 


Baffled. 


209 

“I’ll shoot if you yell ag’in,” Eph cried, as he pressed 
the muzzle of his revolver to the Greaser’s head. 

This threat had the effect of reducing him to silence, 
and a second time the report of a weapon rang out, 
apparently close at hand. 

“Get somethin’ to stuff in this villain’s mouth,” Eph 
said. “I don’t dare to leave him for a second, an’ nobody 
knows how soon we may have our hands full, when I’ll 
be needed for somethin’ better than waitin’ to kill a 
Greaser the minute he yips.” 

Dale picked up a fragment of charred wood, and, with 
the hem torn from Nina’s dress, he tied it in Espinosa’s 
mouth. 

Again was heard the crack of a rifle yet nearer the im- 
promptu fort, and the two inside stood with raised 
weapons ready to aid their friend, if it should be possible 
without leaving the shelter. 

“He’s workin’ this way, firin’ whenever he gets a 
chance,” Eph whispered. “I don’t allow there’s more’n 
one after him, an’ we must stand by to tear down some 
of these timbers ” 

Before the sentence was finished Barstow appeared at 
the entrance, and as he fired a parting shot Eph and Dale 
pulled away a couple of the heavy beams. 

“That was a close shave,” the stockman said, as he 
wiped the perspiration from his face. “I reckoned one 
spell that they had me foul.” 

“What happened?” 

“I’d jest got to the spring an’ filled the jug when the 
flash of the powder brought me up all standin’. One of 


210 


Baffled. 


the gang must have crept around that way, hopin’ to get 
a shot from behind, an’ I’d run right on him. The cuss 
oughter be hosswhipped for not knowin’ how to shoot.” 

“It was lucky for you that he didn’t,” Dale said, with 
a smile. 

“You’re right, lad; but at the same time I allers hate 
to see a chump standin’ behind a good gun. I had to 
drop the jug before I could shoot, an’ by that time the 
Greaser had got under cover. We tried a little match on 
the way up ; but it’s so dark that neither of us did much 
harm.” 

. “But you brought the water, I see.” 

“Of course; wasn’t that what I went for?” 

“Do you think there are more of the crowd creepin’ 
around in the rear ?” Eph asked. 

“If they are up to that game it’s spoiled now, for we 
know what to expect. We’ll get something to eat while 
there’s time, an’ then it’s a case of keepin’ our eyes open 
mighty wide the rest of the night.” 

Barstow was about to begin an attack oil the food when 
Nina asked Dale: 

“Are you going to keep that wood in Espinosa’s 
mouth ?” 

“Why shouldn’t we?” 

“Because it is cruel. Never mind what he has done, 
it is torture enough to be tied to the timber and forced 
to remain where the first bullet which comes may wound 
him grievously.” 

Barstow asked for an explanation, and on being told 


Baffled. 2 1 1 

what had happened decided in favor of granting Nina’s 
request. 

“We’ll give the cuss a chance to talk with us, if he 
wants to; but in case there’s any attempt to speak with 
them outside, in it goes again.” 

The prisoner was wonderfully relieved when the gag 
had been removed, and then, on the alert for the slightest 
suspicious noise, the little party began the long-deferred 
meal. 

A hearty supper, during which Espinosa watched them 
narrowly, and then Barstow suggested that all save him- 
self try to get some sleep. 

“I don’t allow the Greasers will do anything before 
mornin’, an’ it stands us in hand to be fresh for the work 
they’ll likely cut out.” 

“I must do my share of standing guard,” Dale said, 
and Nina insisted that she also should be allowed to do 
a portion of the duty. 

“All hands shall have a turn at it before daylight. I’ll 
begin the job, an’ call the others when I’m tired.” 

“Do you intend to kill me by keeping me in this position 
until morning?” Espinosa asked, with a whine. 

“It wouldn’t be any worse than you’ve served many a 
good fellow, an’ if you die that’s no business of ours,” 
Barstow replied, unconcernedly. 

“Why not kill me at once, and have done with it ?” 

“Because, as I said before, we want to give you a taste 
of your own medicine.” 

Much as Nina had suffered at the Greaser’s hands she 


212 


Baffled. 


was sorry to see him in pain ; but the stockman would not 
listen to her pleadings. 

“He must take what he’s given so often, an’ I only 
wish we could serve him out a worse dose.” 

Finally all save Barstow laid down to sleep, and before 
morning both Eph and Dale were called upon to do their 
share of sentry duty; but nothing was seen to cause 
alarm. 

The enemy could be heard riding to and fro as if on 
the alert to prevent the besieged from making their escape, 
but not one came near enough to provoke a bullet. 

When the sun rose they were four or five hundred 
yards away in the direction of their camp, and a few 
moments later one of the number rode forward waving a 
blanket as a flag of truce. 

“Don’t let him get near enough to talk with Espinosa,” 
Dale whispered. “I’m sure the fellow has some kind of 
scheme in mind, for he looked wonderfully pleased when 
this man started. Most likely he counts on giving him 
a hint or two in Spanish.” 

“You’re right, lad,” and the ranchman sent a bullet so 
near the head of him who bore the improvised flag, that 
the request to remain at a distance was readily understood. 


CHAPTER XXVII. 


JUSTICE. 

The rider reined in his pony and sat looking first to- 
ward the ruins and then at his comrades, as if undecided 
what to do. 

“Keep your eyes on him,” Barstow said, “and in case 
he tries to come nearer be sure to nail him.” 

“Why not let him talk?” Dale asked. 

“Because we don’t want any dealings with sich cattle. 
It’s only a waste of time.” 

“They want to make some trade with you,” the pris- 
oner said, earnestly. “Can’t you give them a chance to 
tell what they are willing to do?” 

“Not a bit of it. In the first place, I wouldn’t trust a 
single mother’s son of them if he should swear on a 
dozen Bibles, an’ then ag’in there’s no show for a bargain. 
What we’ve got we’ll hold on to, an’ what they get will 
be earned.” 

“Do you think you can stand against those men when 
they make an assault?” Espinosa asked, threateningly. 

“We’re goin’ to try mighty hard, an’ if we don’t it’ll 
be all the same to you, for you won’t be here to see us 
give in.” 

“I thought you Americans believed it was cruel to tor- 
ture prisoners.” 


214 Justice. 

“So we do until we get one of your stripe, an’ then 
there’s nothin’ too bad.” 

“It may be that I shall have a voice in the matter. It 
is not possible you can stand long against my brave 
fellows.” 

“Don’t build too many hopes on anything of that kind. 
Your gang won’t find it as easy to wipe us out as they 
think, an’ the price that’ll be paid for makin’ the attempt 
will be a big one.” 

Espinosa did not reply to this remark, but the triumph- 
ant smile which came over his face caused Dale to think 
he had observed some maneuver which escaped their 
attention. 

Now that the leader of the Mexicans had nothing more 
to say, the interest of the besieged was centered on the 
man who was between them and the main body of the 
enemy. 

Twice did the flag-bearer try to advance; but each time 
he was warned by a bullet, until he finally gave up the 
task in despair, and rode back to his companions, who 
showed their displeasure at his reception by making ges- 
tures expressive of anger and defiance. 

“Go on with your monkey-shines!” Barstow shouted. 
“They don’t hurt us, an’ we’ll soon make you dance in a 
different manner.” 

During the next half hour the Greasers remained 
inactive, and the besieged took advantage of the oppor- 
tunity to get breakfast. 

Nina attended to this portion of the work, and Dale 


Justice. 215 

thought he had never seen food look more inviting than 
as she arranged it on the charred planks. 

By standing where a full view of the surrounding 
country could be maintained the little party were enabled 
to eat in a leisurely fashion; but an interruption came 
before the meal was concluded. 

“I reckon our loafin’ spell is over,” Barstow said, sud- 
denly, as he dropped a slice of bacon and seized his rifle. 
“The devils are gettin’ ready for a rush, an’ we’ll have it 
hot enough for the next five or ten minutes.” 

Dale and Eph grasped their weapons, and the former 
literally forced Nina to take shelter behind the barricade 
especially erected for her. 

She insisted that it might be possible she could aid in 
some manner ; but the boy would not listen to any argu- 
ment. 

“You must take care of yourself, whether you want to 
or not,” he said. “It is for us to do the fighting.” 

“And am I to remain idle?” 

“Certainly, while there is any danger.” 

Very unwillingly she went behind the timbers, and Dale 
returned to the doorway, where he could see what was 
being done. 

The alarm was not false. 

The Greasers had already mounted and were spurring 
their ponies forward at full speed. 

“Don’t fire until they are close on us, an’ then blaze 
away for all you are wort*i!” the stockman said as he 
prepared for decisive action, 


2i6 Justice. 

The distance between the two parties was rapidly 
lessened. 

Not a weapon was discharged on either side until the 
horsemen were within a few yards of the ruins, and 
during the short time of silence Espinosa appeared wild | 
with terror. 

He yelled frantically in Spanish to his men; but did 
not succeed in checking the advance, and his trembling 
voice was soon drowned by the crackling of firearms. 

The besieged were fairly well sheltered, and, riding 
at such a pace, the Greasers naturally shot wild ; but for 
all that there were more bullets sent inside the ruins than 
was either pleasant or safe for the occupants. 

Before the battle had been in progress two minutes Dale 
recognized the wisdom of sheltering Nina, as she prob- 
ably did also, for unless crouching directly under the 
front walls, there would have been little chance of her 
escaping a wound. 

It was a fight in which each of the combatants loaded 
and fired as rapidly as possible. 

There were times when it was useless to attempt to 
take aim, so thickly filled with smoke was the narrow 
spot in which the besieged were confined, and the reports , 
of the weapons sounded like the long roll of a drum. 

Twice during the wild fight did Dale hear Espinosa 
shriek with pain, thus showing as many bullets had found 
a lodging place in his worthless body; but just at that 
time the excitement was so great that he gave but little 
heed to the matter. 

Four successive charges did the enemy make on the 


Justice. 


217 

three who were so bravely holding the apology for a fort, 
and on each occasion were they forced to fall back, the 
many riderless ponies which dashed to and fro telling at 
what an expense of life the battle was being waged. 

Dale was only conscious that he discharged his weapons 
as rapidly as possible, shooting point-blank at the enemy 
now and then, or firing at random through the opening. 

Espinosa suffered all the agonies of death during the 
brief engagement, and there must have been many times 
that his thoughts went back to the alleged sport he had 
engaged in, when a poor prisoner had served as target 
for his half-drunken men. 

For the besieged it was a reckless expenditure of car- 
tridges; but under such circumstances there was no way 
by which they could have been saved. 

Finally the Greasers drew off out of range once more, 
disheartened because of their losses, and Barstow summed 
up the situation by saying : 

“Eph has a flesh-wound on the left arm; but it don’t 
count, because he can use a rifle as well as ever. Espinosa 
knows where two bullets struck — one in his arm an’ the 
other on the shoulder. The rest of the force appears to be 
in good condition; but the ammunition is mighty nigh 
played out. Take it all in all, I don’t think we’ve done 
so bad.” 

“I know where we can get a small supply, an’ jest now 
every one counts/’ Eph cried, as he hurriedly pulled away 
the timbers from the door and ran out before his com- 
panions could check him. 

Four of the enemy lay dead within a distance of fifty 


2l8 


Justice. 

yards, and it was neither a long nor a difficult task to 
secure their well-filled belts. 

This done, he returned to the fort, and secured the 
door- way once more, saying, as he entered : 

“Here’s enough to last another turn, I reckon, an’ when 
they are gone we’ll most likely gather in other Greasers 
who won’t have life enough left to kick at havin’ to share 
with us.” 

Nina, who had come out of her place of refuge as soon 
as the firing ceased, insisted on bandaging Eph’s wound ; 
but he declared he only allowed her to do so because of 
friendship, since it was too trifling a scratch to even think 
about. 

By this time Espinosa’s groans were so loud that the 
tender-hearted girl pleaded with the men to release him 
from his painful position. 

“It is terrible to keep him there while he is wounded/’ 
she said, pleadingly, to Barstow. 

“I know it, miss ; but he’s doin’ more good on that tim- 
ber than he ever did before. Three or four times them 
villains would have forced their way in if it hadn’t been 
for fear of killin’ him. Besides, he oughter be able to 
stand a little pain after causin’ so much.” 

“Shoot me if you wish ; but don’t leave me here !” the 
wretch cried, piteously, and Nina begged more earnestly 
than before. 

“He thinks it’ll be possible to give us the slip in some 
way if we take him down, an’ yet there’s no chance for 
him to get away from his doom. What we’re doin’ looks 
cruel; but it’s only justice.” 


Justice. 219 

“If you must kill him, do so at once. Put him out of 
his misery.” 

“He shall come down, miss,” the ranchman said, after 
a short time of hesitation, “but we can’t spare him yet a 
while; he may come in handy before this dance is ended.” 

Nina had carried her point, and, for the present, that 
was sufficient to satisfy her. 

Espinosa was released from his lofty position and 
allowed to lie on the floor; but his hands and feet were 
fastened securely lest during the next engagement he 
should do mischief. 

Nina gave him water, and would have paid some atten- 
tion to his wounds but for his persistent refusal. 

“The sooner I bleed to death the better it will be for 
me,” he said, sulkily. 

“Sich cattle as that ain’t worth botherin’ about, miss,” 
the ranchman said. “I’ll answer for it there isn’t blood 

enough flowin’ to kill a chicken They are gettin’ 

ready for another rush !” 

The enemy had ridden slightly nearer, and were now 
in close order, evidently waiting the word of command to 
advance. 

Seized with a sudden thought, Barstow snatched the 
light mantle from Nina’s shoulders, and, handing it to 
Dale, said, quickly: 

“Go out an’ wave that till you can make ’em under- 
stand we want a parley.” 

Then, as the boy obeyed, he turned to Espinosa : 

“I am goin’ to call one of your men in, an’ I want you 
to talk to him in English.” 


220 


Justice. 


“What shall I say?” 

“Tell him that the moment they make another charge 
I shall put a bullet through your head. Take good care 
that you don’t speak a word of Spanish, or this will talk 
quicker than is pleasant,” and the ranchman touched his 
revolver significantly. 

“Suppose I refuse?” 

“Then I’ll shoot first and talk afterward.” 

The signal had been seen, and one of the Greasers was 
advancing at a slow pace toward the ruins. 

“Will you give him the message ?” the stockman asked. 

“Help me on my feet.” 

“Now remember what I say,” Barstow added, cocking 
a revolver. “One word more than I have told you, and 
the end has come !” 


CHAPTER XXVIII. 


A FLIGHT. 

In order that the man who was advancing toward the 
ruins might be certain it was his chief who was deliv- 
ering the message, Barstow removed the fetters from 
Espinosa’s feet, and led him a short distance outside the 
ruins. 

Here he halted with his prisoner, while Dale and Eph 
stood on the alert, ready to shoot at the first sign of 
treachery. 

The Greaser came slowly on as if fearing some trick, 
but stopped while yet a long distance away. 

“Come nearer, you fool !” Espinosa cried, angrily. 

The man obeyed hesitatingly, and when he was where 
it would be possible to converse without absolutely shout- 
ing, the leader repeated the message as spoken by the 
ranchman, adding to it : 

“To make a charge now is to insure my death, there- 
fore you must return to the camp.” 

The fellow began to reply in Spanish; but Barstow 
prevented him by crying, as he leveled his rifle : 

“Speak English, or it will be the worse both for you 
and him.” 

“I was only going to say that the boys refuse to look 
upon him any longer as the leader.” 


222 


A Flight. 

“What is that ?” Espinosa shrieked. 

“We have followed you long enough, and shed more 
blood through your crazy fancies than ever we did with 
a chance of gain. This crowd must be wiped out to settle 
the score which began when we were such fools as to 
try and rescue you ; but we have another leader.” 

“Who is he?” 

“Lousano.” 

“He, the wretch ! The coward ! The idiot !” and the de- 
posed chief worked himself into a perfect frenzy of rage. 

“Hold on,” Barstow said, sternly. “This talk amounts 
to nothing. The question is whether that gang will leave 
us alone in order to save your life?” 

“No, a hundred times no !” the horseman shouted. 

This reply served to show Espinosa that he must use 
fair words instead of foul if he wished to accomplish any- 
thing, and he began to speak rapidly in Spanish. 

“Stop that!” the ranchman cried, as he raised his re- 
volver. “Another word I can’t understand, and you are 
a dead Greaser !” 

Espinosa paid no attention to the threat, but continued 
speaking. 

Dale and Eph, who were watching the proceedings 
intently, saw a look of determination come over Barstow’s 
face, and before one could have counted five the weapon 
was discharged. 

The deposed chief of the desperadoes sprang high in 
the air, whirled around like a top, and then fell forward 
on his face, a corpse. 

“Thanks, senor, you have saved us much trouble,” the 


223 


A Flight. 

horseman said, as he raised his sombrero politely, and 
then plunging the spurs deep into the pony’s flanks rode 
off at full speed to rejoin his companions. 

“My father’s death is at last avenged !” Dale said, with 
a long-drawn sigh, as he turned away from the dis- 
agreeable scene. 

Although Nina had seen a reckless spilling of blood 
during her enforced stay with the Mexicans, this slaying 
of Espinosa seemed so much like murder that she grew 
faint and sick at heart. 

Seating herself on a charred timber at the rear of the 
ruins, she covered her face with her hands as if to shut 
out the terrible sight. 

“I reckon you think that was a cruel thing to do, miss,” 
the ranchman said, as he barred the doorway as well as 
was possible with the material at hand. 

“It isn’t for me to say ; but I wish I hadn’t seen it.” 

“So do I ; but it couldn’t be helped. That wretch was 
evidently telling his men how to attack us, hopin’ by so 
doin’ to be rescued and get the leadership again. It was 
his life or ours, an’ I’d rather wipe him out than go 
under myself.” 

There was no further time to discuss the matter, since 
the Greasers were making ready for another attack, and 
the defenders of the ruins were forced to stand to their 
weapons. 

On this occasion, instead of charging in a body, the 
enemy rode around and around the ranch, keeping at long 
range, and watching for an opportunity to shoot without 


224 A Flight. 

exposing their precious bodies to the murderous fire of 
the besieged. 

“It’s no use wasting cartridges while they stay at that 
distance. The best marksman in the world couldn’t hit a 
moving target at that distance, an’ we’ve got none too 
much ammunition.” 

Having given this opinion, Barstow calmly lighted his 
pipe, and gave himself no further concern in the matter, 
save to keep his eyes upon the horsemen as they dashed 
to and fro. 

“How long are we likely to stand this sort of thing?” 
Eph finally asked. 

“Till nightfall. I allow we can sneak off by that time. 
These fellers haven’t got the leader they had before 
Espinosa turned up his toes, an’ the new r chief is most 
likely too green at the business to keep ’em at work !” 

“Where will you head for ?” 

“The Morey ranch. Between here an’ there we should 
find Miss Nina’s father, for it stands to reason he knows 
what has happened by this time.” 

“And are we to travel on foot?” Dale asked, as he 
looked at the delicate girl, wondering how she would 
bear the fatigue of such a journey. 

“I don’t see any other way, unless we should have the 
luck to fall in with some ponies, which ain’t likely.” 

“I’m not so sure it can be done,” Eph said, doubtfully. 

“I am, for I’ve got the thing figured out, an’ count on 
puttin’ it through all right. Before mornin’ we should 
be among the bowlders on Swazey’s Run, an’ can hold 


A Flight. 225 

our own there as well as here in case they tumble to our 
game.” 

Barstow spoke so confidently that the others looked 
upon the attempt as something which would be made 
regardless of what they should say, and the fact that a 
change of base was decided upon gave all a certain relief 
of mind. 

During the day the enemy kept at a distance, but still 
riding around the ranch at intervals, and, when the 
shadows of evening began to gather, the ranchman said, 
in a tone of satisfaction : 

‘‘They’ve used up their ponies, so we needn’t fear 
there’ll be much of a chase made to-night, unless they see 
us when we leave.” 

“Why do they want to attack now?” Dale asked. 
“There’s nothing to be gained by it.” 

Barstow made no reply; but he gazed toward Nina in 
a significant way which told that he believed the outlaws 
were bent on recapturing the prize their former leader had 
valued so highly. 

When night had fully come the ranchman began his 
preparations for the flight. 

“We need grub and water, an’ there’s plenty of both to 
be had for the trouble of going for them. You two stay 
here on the alert while I forage.” 

He was nearly absent half-an-hour, and during that 
time the hoof-beats on the plain told that the Greasers 
had not raised the siege. 

“I’ve got enough for a couple of days’ rations,” he 
said, as he laid a heavy burden on the floor. “We must 


226 


A Flight. 


divide this stuff into three loads, and contrive some way 
to fasten them on our backs.” 

“Did you see any of the enemy ?” Dale asked. 

“No; but I heard plenty. They are out to prevent us 
from makin’ a sneak, but I don’t reckon it’ll amount to 
stoppin’ us.” 

It was quite a while before Barstow had the loads 
packed to please him. Then the provisions were tied to 
each one’s back, and all were ready for the venture. 

The order of marching was with Barstow in the lead, 
Eph behind him followed by Nina, and Dale bringing up 
the rear. 

As a matter of course, the girl carried no burden, 
although she pleaded hard to be allowed to do so. 

“Your part of the work is to help yourself along as 
fast as we want to travel, an’ I reckon that’ll be job 
enough,” the ranchman had replied, in a tone which pre- 
vented any further argument. 

It was about nine o’clock in the evening when the 
barricade at the doorway was removed, and the little 
party ventured forth. 

The light of the stars was obscured by dark clouds, and 
everything seemed favorable for the attempt. 

Barstow led the way through the ranch at right angles 
with the course he intended to pursue, the others follow- 
ing silently in single file. 

Now and then the footfalls of the Greasers’ ponies 
could be heard as proof that they were keeping strict 
guard, and Dale shuddered as he thought of what the 
result might and probably would be if they were surprised 


A Flight. 227 

in the open with the main body of the outlaws close at 
hand. 

They arrived at the fences of the cattle corral without 
an alarm having been given, and then the ranchman 
turned sharply off in the proper direction, striking directly 
across the plain where was not so much as a bush to 
afford them shelter in case pursuit should be made. 

During the next twenty minutes they traveled at the 
best possible pace, and then was heard from the rear a 
loud shouting and yelling, mingled with the report of a 
rifle. 

“They’ve found out that we’ve given ’em the slip!” 
Barstow said, in a low tone. “It’s a question of runnin’ 
now, for we mustn’t be overhauled in this place. Give 
me your rifle, Dale, and take Nina by one hand, while 
Eph holds the other.” 

“What is that for?” the girl asked, displaying consid- 
erable alarm. 

“We are goin’ to run, an’ there won’t be much chance 
you can keep pace with us unless they bear a hand.” 

The two did as they were directed, and the ranchman 
led the way at a speed which promised to distance his 
companions. 

Not until all were thoroughly blown did Barstow 
slacken the pace, and as the fugitives stood panting, he 
said : 

“I reckon we’ve got a safe distance off ” 

The sentence was not finished, for at that moment the 
trampling of horses was heard, and Eph added, grimly : 


228 


A Flight. 

“You spoke a leetle too quick, pard. It’s a case of 
keepin’ our faces to the Greasers now.” 

“You and I will do that, while Dale goes on with Nina. 
I reckon we can hold ’em off a while, an’ then make 
another run for it.” 

“Dale and I will not leave you,” Nina replied, firmly. 

“You two will obey orders, an’ that’s a fact. Be off, 
lad, while there’s time. Keep straight on ; take your rifle, 
an’ when you hear two shots fired almost together, answer 
with one, so’s we’ll know where you are.” 

Dale seized Nina’s hand despite her protests, and the 
two went out alone into the darkness, leaving the brave 
men to cover their flight. 


CHAPTER XXIX. 


A FORTUNATE CATCH. 

“Suppose they should never find us again ?” Nina 
asked, as Dale hurried her along at full speed. 

“There’s little danger of our being lost. If the Mexi- 
cans didn’t trouble us, I could guide you to the ranch in 
time.’’ 

“It doesn’t seem possible those two would be able to 
hold the entire party in check.” 

“They are less in numbers than when you were first 
captured, and besides, I don’t fancy more than half-a- 
dozen are in pursuit. The others would be likely to go 
in different directions.” 

This conversation was not prolonged. 

The speed at which they were traveling rendered talk- 
ing difficult, and during the next ten minutes they walked 
on in silence. 

Then the report of firearms rang out in the distance, 
and the fugitives knew that their friends were fighting 
for life. 

“With no shelter, they will surely be killed!” Nina 
cried, in an agony of apprehension, as Dale involuntarily 
came to a halt. 

“Men don’t shoot very true in the darkness, and I’ll 
back Barstow and Eph against a dozen Greasers/’ 


230 


A Fortunate Catch. 


Although Dale spoke so confidently, he was far from 
feeling easy in mind, and during the short time the 
engagement lasted his fears were great, almost over- 
powering. 

Then the rattle of musketry suddenly ceased, and he 
asked himself whether the outlaws had given up the 
attempt, or if they had succeeded in capturing his friends. 

“Is it over?” Nina asked, in a trembling voice. 

“It seems so.” 

“Who has been victorious?” 

“I wish I knew,” was the fervent reply. 

“Suppose we wait here a while instead of going any 
farther? It may be that one or both are wounded, and 
can’t travel as far as this.” 

Dale was perfectly willing to act upon the suggestion, 
for the same thought had come into his mind, and the two 
seated themselves on the ground to await the answer to 
the question which was of so much importance to both. 

Thirty minutes passed, each one seemingly containing 
ten times the proper number of seconds, and then Dale 
sprang to his feet, with difficulty restraining himself from 
giving vent to a cheer of triumph as he saw two familiar 
forms approaching. 

“Are you wounded?” Nina asked, anxiously, as the 
ranchman and Eph halted in front of her. 

“Haven’t got a scratch. We tried a dodge that puz- 
zled the Greasers, an’ they were glad to draw off after a 
bit.” 

“What was the dodge?” 

“You see, there wasn’t any timber, an’ we laid down 


A Fortunate Catch. 


231 


where the grass was reasonably high. They couldn’t see 
us, an’ at the first shot we brought down two, wingin’ 
the ponies with a second. They sent bullets all around 
us, but didn’t do any harm, an’ after we’d laid out 
another, the whole gang concluded to ride back. It was 
a lucky scrimmage for us, because by it we’ve got two 
good lariats an’ a fresh supply of cartridges.” 

“Do you think they have given up the chase?” 

“I reckon so ; it’s costin’ too much to hunt us,” Barstow 
replied, with a pardonable show of pride, and then he 
suggested that the journey be continued. 

Again the travelers started in the same order as before, 
and this time they walked in a more leisurely fashion. 

Four halts were made during the night; not because 
the male members of the party needed rest ; but the exer- 
tion was beginning to tell sadly on Nina, and Dale under- 
stood that she would not be able to keep pace with them 
during another tramp. 

When the sun rose the ranchman looked eagerly 
around, and his face lighted up with pleasure as he recog- 
nized the landmarks in the vicinity. 

“We are not more than two miles from the Somers 
ranch, and if you can hold out that distance, Miss Nina, 
we’ll see to it that you don’t have to do any more walkin’ 
this day.” 

“I can keep on as long as you desire,” Nina replied, 
trying bravely to fight off the weariness which threatened 
to overpower her. 

“I wish it wasn’t necessary to take another step; but 


232 


A Fortunate Catch. 


since it must be done, let’s push on at our best gait and 
finish the job soon.” 

The thought that they were near those who would act 
as friends, and supply all needful wants, infused fresh 
courage into every member of the party, and the distance 
was covered in a reasonably short space of time. 

A bitter disappointment awaited them. 

Instead of the collection of buildings which should be 
seen on a well-appointed ranch, nothing but a pile of 
ruins met their gaze. 

Espinosa’s gang had left their trail marked by fire and 
blood. 

‘‘More of that rascal’s work !” Barstow muttered be- 
tween his tightly closed teeth. “I am sorry we allowed 
him to die so easy.” 

The other members of the party made no comment. 

It was as if fate could have nothing more in store for 
them which was evil, and a feeling of despondency took 
possession of all. 

“There’s no sense in standin’ here like a lot of wooden 
figgers,” the ranchman said, after a long pause during 
which the little party had been gazing in silence at the 
evidence of bloodshed and devastation. “We may find 
something there to help us along, and even if we don’t, 
it's better to halt where we can find a shelter in case the 
Greasers are followin’, than to stay in the open.” 

Wearily the four advanced, halting when they stood 
before the ruins of the main building. 

As at Howland’s, the same signs of a struggle were *o 


A Fortunate Catcli. 


233 

be seen, and to describe them would be simply a repeti- 
tion. 

A small storehouse, quite a distance from the other 
buildings, had been left untouched by the flames, and to 
this the ranchman led his companions. 

It had evidently been used as quarters for some of the 
defenders of the ranch when Espinosa attacked the place, 
for several hammocks were yet slung from the walls, and 
everything told of recent occupancy. 

One of these swinging beds was at once appropriated 
to Nina’s use, and the poor girl’s eyes closed in slumber 
almost as soon as she laid down. 

The others could not afford to rest until certain neces- 
sary work had been attended to, such as Barstow mapped 
out after Nina’s comfort had been assured. 

“There is just a chance that I may find a stray pony 
or two in the corral,” he said, as he beckoned for his com- 
panions to follow him out of doors. “I’ll have a look 
around, and you two hunt for bridles, saddles, and pro- 
visions while I’m gone. The fire hasn’t burned so well 
but that we should get something out of the place.” 

Dale and Eph at once began a search of the ranch, 
overturning charred timbers, digging amid the debris , or 
peering into such corners of the dwellings as were left 
unconsumed, and in this manner found more than enough 
to repay them for their labor. 

Two saddles, both decidedly the worse for use, three 
bridles, and a fine rifle were discovered, while in addition 
they had a sufficient amount of provisions to furnish them 
with food another day. 


234 


A Fortunate Catch. 


“Now we’ve got grub enough for forty-eight hours,” 
Eph said, as he surveyed the collection, “and if Bar stow 
finds any ponies, we sha’n’t be in sich a very tight place.” 

“Will it pay to take the rifle along?” 

“If we get a chance to ride, I say yes; but if not it 
won’t pay for carrying. Better bring it, an’ make up 
your mind afterward.” 

“When they returned to the building where Nina was 
sleeping nothing remained to be done, and both stretched 
themselves out in the hammocks for a long-needed nap. 

An hour later they were awakened by the ranchman, 
who first called them out of doors, and then said : 

“This is a nice way to stand guard! Do you believe 
all danger is over simply because we have got a few miles 
start of the Greasers?” 

“I didn’t think there could be any harm in going to 
sleep,” Dale replied, in an apologetic tone. 

“None has been done, luckily; but something might 
have happened, and one must be on the watch all the 
time. What did you find ?” 

Dale gave an account of the article brought in, and 
concluded by asking: 

“Did you catch a pony?” 

“I’ve got three in the corral, and we shall make the 
remainder of the journey in a more comfortable fashion. 
Now, Eph, you stand guard, and Dale and I’ll take a little 
nap.” 

The day was passed in resting. 

Nothing occurred to cause alarm; it was as if Espi- 
nosa’s men were a thousand miles away, save for the 


A Fortunate Catch. 


235 


evidences of their work; and then Barstow aroused all 
hands to make ready for the second stage of the journey. 

Nina, who had slept during the entire day, was the 
first on her feet, and as she sprang to the floor the rifle 
Dale had found was directly in front of her. 

She looked at it for an instant, and then, raising it in 
her hands, asked, excitedly : 

“Where did this come from ?” 

“I found it among the ruins,” Dale replied. 

Her face paled, and, hugging the weapon to her bosom, 
she faltered: 

“It is my father’s ! Look ! here is his name !” 

Her companions gathered around her as she pointed 
to some lines on the lock which had hitherto escaped their 
attention, where was written by the graver’s tool in small 
letters the name, “Walter Morey.” 

“He must have come this way in search of me, and 
was here when Espinosa attacked the ranch,” she cried, 
wildly. “Show me where it came from.” 

Before Dale could make an intelligible explanation, she 
had darted out of the building, and was searching fran- 
tically among the charred timbers for further proof that 
her father had been in the ill-fated place. 

“If he did come here we mustn’t let her search the 
ranch, for she may find more than enough to break her 
heart,” Barstow said, after watching the grief-stricken 
girl’s movements for a few moments. “I fancy she has 
hit upon the truth, an’ that Morey has met his death 
here; but she can’t be allowed to learn the fact. Eph, 
catch and saddle the ponies, while I take her away.” 


236 


A Fortunate Catch. 


It would have been very sweet to Dale if he could have 
comforted Nina at this moment ; but she refused to listen 
even to the arguments advanced by the ranchman, and 
would have overturned the timbers with her own delicate 
hands, or made a brave attempt at so doing, if Barstow 
had not absolutely forced her away. 

“We shall soon be at your home,” he said, in a soothing 
tone, “and there the truth will be known. You must 
come with us, for by remaining all hands may fall into 
the clutches of those devils who have wrought this ruin.” 

The thought that she might be keeping her companions 
in a place of danger served to arouse her better than 
anything else could have done, and she suffered herself 
to be led toward the gates, even while believing the re- 
mains of her father might be found among the blackened 
timbers. 

The ranchman lost no time in getting his party together 
for a continuation of the painful journey, and almost 
before Nina realized the fact, they were traveling rapidly 
away from the ill-fated ranch. 


CHAPTER XXX. 

THE MOREY RANCH.. 

During the first portion of the journey, when they 
were beset on every hand by danger, and forced to walk, 
Nina had been cheerful, almost happy; but now the belief 
that her father had been murdered plunged her into the 
silence of deepest grief. 

As a matter of course, the best saddle was put on the 
most trusty pony for her use. 

Barstow insisted that Dale should take the second and 
last saddle since it was hardly probable he was as experi- 
enced a horseman as the others. 

This arrangement left one pony with no other trap- 
pings than a well-patched bridle, and on this sorry-looking 
steed the ranchman and Eph alternately rode. 

Both Dale and Nina insisted that they be allowed to do 
their share of the walking, but Barstow would not listen 
to such a proposition. 

“It is necessary we should make the best possible 
time,” he said, “an’ either of you on foot would hold us 
back. We’ll travel as we are, an’ thank our lucky stars 
that we can ride half the time.” 

Dale remained very close to Nina’s side. 

His respect and sympathy for her sorrow prevented 
him from trying to engage her in conversation, but he 


*38 


The Morey Ranch. 


was ever on the alert to save her from any annoyances 
which might arise.” 

From this point the journey to the Morey ranch was 
uneventful. 

The little party pushed on at the best possible pace, 
Barstow and Eph walking mile after mile at a rapid gait, 
as if such a thing as fatigue was unknown, and when the 
fourth afternoon was about half-spent the travelers drew 
rein in front of the ruins. 

Eagerly they searched for signs which might tell that 
the owner of the ranch had visited the place since that 
terrible night when Espinosa’s gang wrought so much 
destruction. 

Barstow and Eph went carefully over the ground in 
the immediate vicinity of the ruins, and the former said, 
in a low tone, after a long and patient search : 

“There’s no reason why we should let Miss Nina hear 
what conclusion we’ve arrived at ; but I must say that I 
don’t allow Morey has been here since those devils lighted 
in on us.” 

“Well, what does that prove?” Dale asked. 

“That we might have found all that is left of him if 
we had searched at Somers’.” 

“How do you make it out ?” 

“Suppose he had been here? Then the chances are 
he’d left some signs in case his friends came along.” 

“Still it isn’t proof he was killed at Somers’.” 

“Not exactly ; but it comes nigh enough to satisfy mC. 
Before getting back here he heard what Espinosa had 


The Morey Ranch. 239 

done, an’ started on the trail at once, overtaken’ him where 
we found the rifle.” 

Dale made no reply. The reasoning seemed plausible, 
and he turned away to follow Nina, who was wandering 
to and fro like one distracted. 

She gave no sign she knew he was near ; but it satisfied 
him to be by her side. 

Half-an-hour after arriving a shout from Eph caused 
both Nina and Dale to look up suddenly, when they saw, 
coming wearily over the plain from the south, the travel- 
stained figure of a woman. 

“It is Martha!” Nina exclaimed, in surprise. 

“Who is she?” 

“My old nurse ; the one whom you helped on the way 
from Espinosa’s camp to Howland’s.” 

“I didn’t think it possible she could have escaped, and 
that she has done so should give you courage, for a man 
would surely stand a better chance of getting away than 
a woman.” 

“You mean that I should believe father is yet alive.” 

“I certainly do. There is no reason for giving up all 
hope until we have better proof than the mere finding of 
his rifle.” 

“Does Barstow think the same?” 

“He knows nothing about it,” was the equivocal reply. 

By this time Martha had arrived, and was clasping 
Nina in her arms, both sobbing as if the meeting were a 
misfortune rather than a cause for rejoicing. 

It was several moments before the newcomer was 


240 


The Morey Ranch. 

sufficiently composed to be able to answer the questions 
Barstow showered upon her. 

Then she managed to tell in a disconnected way the 
story of the last fight at Howland’s. 

After Espinosa’s followers had succeeded in setting the 
buildings on fire, the female portion of the household 
were escorted across the ranch in the same direction as 
that taken by Dale when he escaped. 

The manager of the place made no further effort, after 
the desperate fight, which did not check the enemy’s ad- 
vance, to defend the burning property. His only aim 
was then to save life. 

The Greasers made a savage attack on the party of 
white men as they marched steadily across the open with 
the women in their midst, and more than one of the brave 
fellows was shot down ; but the retreat was a success. 

Under cover of the thicket Espinosa’s gang was held 
in check until nightfall, when the survivors started across 
the plain, following nearly the same trail as had Barstow’s 
party. 

They had no ponies, and the women could walk but 
slowly, therefore Martha’s late arrival was easily ac- 
counted for. 

“There’s one thing certain,” the ranchman said, when 
the woman had finished her story. “We can’t move from 
here for three or four days at the earliest, an’ it wouldn’t 
be wise to go if we could, for I’m countin’ on seeing 
some of the other boys turn up. The best thing to do 
is to rig a shelter for Miss Nina and Martha, an’ take 
things comfortable.” 


241 


The Morey Ranch. 

“You boss the job, and we’ll obey orders,” Dale re- 
plied, glad of an opportunity to work, for Nina might 
become interested in what was being done, and anything 
was better than to have her brooding over her father’s 
absence. 

The ranchman set about the task with a will, and be- 
fore sunset a shanty of half-burned boards had been 
erected. 

It was not a very pretentious building; but it would 
serve to protect the women from the sun and dew, which 
was all that could have been expected. 

Martha found several cooking utensils in the ruins; 
Eph shot a calf which had been separated from the herd 
when the Greasers stampeded the cattle, and Dale gath- 
ered a supply of vegetables from the half-destroyed gar- 
den, therefore the fugitives were not likely to suffer from 
lack of food. 

The night passed quietly. 

Strict guard was kept; but nothing occurred to cause 
alarm, and when the morning came Barstow continued 
the work of erecting such temporary buildings as would 
serve to shelter the entire party. 

At noon Martha had ready a generous dinner for the t 
laborers, and Barstow was on the point of carving the 
meat with his hunting-knife, when Eph sprang to his feet 
in alarm. 

“The Greasers have followed us!” he cried, excitedly, 
as he pointed toward the south, where could be seen a 
party of horsemen riding at full speed in the direction 
of the ranch. 


242 The Morey Ranch. 

Barstow glanced toward them for an instant, and then 
seized his rifle, as he said, in a whisper, to Dale: 

“I reckon Eph is right, an’ it looks as if we might 
have a hot time. Get the women into the ruins of the 
main building, an’ we’ll make a stand there.” 

Nina made no reply when the boy asked her to follow 
him, but obeyed instantly. 

She had been in danger so long that it seemed only 
natural new perils should arise. 

The ammunition and the weapons were carried into 
the improvised fort, and while the ranchman did all he 
could to strengthen the defenses, Eph gathered a small 
supply of provisions and water, concluding his work just 
as Dale shouted: 

“Those are not Mexicans, but white men!” 

Barstow clambered upon the timbers, watching the 
newcomers intently for a moment, and then began shout- 
ing like one who has suddenly gone mad : 

“It’s Morey! it’s Morey!” he cried and Nina grew 
pale from very excess of joy. 

“Are you certain?” she faltered. 

“Jest as sure as you’ll be in five minutes’ time.” 

The horsemen must have observed the figure standing 
on the ruins, and recognized the ranchman, for the ponies 
were spurred harder and harder, until they seemed to fly, 
and in less time than Barstow had said Nina was sobbing 
in her father’s arms. 

The party which had just arrived was made up of four- 
teen ranchmen, who, under Mr. Morey’s leadership, had 
been searching for Espinosa’s gang, and returned to the 


The Morey Ranch. 243 

ranch only in the hope that the story heard at Somers’ 
relative to Nina’s escape might be true. 

They had not been in that fight, having left the ranch 
twenty-four hours previously, and missed the Greasers 
by following the trail which led to the camp which Dale's 
party first found. 

“We saw Morey’s rifle there, an' made certain he’d been 
wiped out,” Barstow said, as the men told their story while 
the father and daughter were a short distance away, en- 
joying the happiness of the reunion. 

“He traded with Somers’ nephew the night we stopped 
there, and I suppose the poor fellow got the worst of the 
scrimmage, as did nearly all hands,” one of the party re- 
plied. 

Then Barstow told of the death of Espinosa ; Eph found 
an old friend among the newcomers, and it seemed to 
Dale as if he had been left entirely alone. 

He was in that frame of mind when the slightest action 
seems for a double purpose, and the fact that Nina had 
not so much as glanced at him since her father arrived 
was sufficient to plunge him into a desperate fit of the 
“blues.” 

“I was a fool to fancy she cared anything for me,” he 
said, moodily, as he walked away, leaving the others in 
cheery conversation, while, as Eph afterward expressed 
it, he “went moonin' off by himself.” 

For a time no one appeared to miss him, and, lying at 
full length on the ground, he was trying to convince him- 
self it would have been better had he never come out vie- 


244 


The Morey Ranch. 

torious in his duel with the Mexican, when a light touch 
on his shoulder caused him to raise his head. 

It was Nina, and she said, with a smile : 

“My father wants Jo thank you for having saved my 
life.” 

“But I didn’t do anything of the kind,” Dale said, in 
confusion, as he rose awkwardly to his feet. 

“I am certain my daughter speaks the truth,” Mr. 
Morey replied, as he took both the boy’s hands in his. “I 
know how faithfully you followed her when she was in 
Espinosa’s power, and at a time when a large body of 
men might have been excused for giving up in despair.” 

“It was Barstow and Eph who did it all. I simply 
helped them, sir.” 

“I have told father the whole truth,” Nina said, laugh- 
ingly, as she took Dale by the arm, forcing him to walk 
by her side, “therefore you needn’t be so modest.” 


CHAPTER XXXI. 


A BARGAIN. 

Two hours later Mr. Morey learned from Barstow and 
Eph all the particulars of Nina’s rescue, and the part 
which Dale had played was given due prominence in the 
story. 

The owner of the ranch was particularly interested in 
the discovery of the mine, and, after asking for all the 
details of Mr. Wrightman’s return to Silver City and 
subsequent murder, he said to Dale : 

“There is no question but that you can prove up a good 
claim, and I will attend to the business as soon as we ar- 
rive at the city.” 

“Are you going there very soon, sir ?” Barstow asked. 

“We will set out to-morrow. These buildings must be 
rebuilt as soon as possible, and we need stockmen at once. 
I hope to recover a good portion of the cattle that were 
stampeded, and in order to do so a large force will be 
necessary.” 

“Can you enter Dale’s claim with no further descrip- 
tion than what we have given?” 

“No; we must send some one there who can attend to 
the matter. There is no reason to fear the remnants of 
Espinosa’s gang any longer, for they have crossed the 
line before this,” 


246 A Bargain. 

“The boy has got color enough in sight to make him 
rich if he only takes that much out, an’ I reckon his 
capital isn’t so big that he can put up works.” 

“It is just what I propose he shall do. He will borrow 
what money is needed from me, and no matter how much 
is required, by lending it I sha’n’t begin to pay the debt I 
owe.” 

“I don’t intend to keep all the claim myself,” Dale man- 
aged to say. 

“What do you count on doing with it?” 

“Barstow and Eph are entitled to a full share, and if 
you think it is so well worth working, why not divide it 
into fourths, and own an interest in what you are so good 
as to say you will open.” 

“Because that wouldn’t be just toward you.” 

“I can’t see why not, if it is what I particularly want. 
I don’t know anything about working such a claim, and 
if Barstow is right, one-quarter of the income will be 
more than enough for me.” 

It was some time before Mr. Morey would listen to the 
proposition ; but when Barstow and Eph understood that 
Dale was in earnest regarding their shares, they urged the 
ranch-owner to accept, and he finally agreed, with the 
proviso that he ultimately be allowed to pay a certain 
amount for the property. 

Once this matter was settled, there was no lack of food 
for conversation, and the four discussed the business in 
all its bearings, Nina taking the part of interested spec- 
tator. 

It was decided that two of Mr. Morey’s late companions 


247 


A Bargain. 

should go back with Barstow to the site of the mine in 
order to get the correct location, while the others con- 
tinued on to Silver City. 

The one thing which caused Nina considerable uneasi- 
ness was that the mine had once been worked and then 
abandoned. 

“If it had been rich, people wouldn’t have closed it,” 
she said, when all the details of the next day’s work had 
been arranged, and there was a pause in the conversa- 
tion. “Doesn’t it prove that there wasn’t ore enough to 
pay for working?” 

“Not a bit of it,” her father replied. “If you had a 
history of New Mexico you would read in it something 
like this: ‘The mines of the State, especially those of 
silver, were extensively worked by the Spaniards down 
to the year 1680, when the revolt of the Pueblos, caused 
by the cruel slavery to which they were reduced in work- 
ing for the precious metals, resulted in the filling up and 
concealment of every mine in the country during the thir- 
teen years of Pueblo control. The shafts of these mines 
are frequently discovered.’ Therefore, you can under- 
stand that the Last Chance may be very rich, and yet 
have been closed.” 

“There’s no question about its payin’, however you 
choose to work it,” Eph said, decidedly. “I know what 
I’m talkin’ about when I say there ain’t a vein around here 
that’s a marker alongside of it.” 

“As soon as it has been located, and matters have been 
straightened out here, we’ll go down and have a look at 


248 


A Bargain. 


it,” Mr. Morey said, as he rose to his feet, thus intimating 
that the conference was at an end. 

Barstow left the party to make arrangements for the 
return trip to Last Chance Mine ; the owner of the ranch 
was called away by one of the strangers, and Eph, seeing 
that Nina and Dale were more interested in each other 
than in anything else, said, with a grin, as he lounged 
slowly off : 

“If you think you can spare me a bit, I’ll hunt for a 
lariat I lost here the other day. Don’t get lonesome, for 
I’ll be back in less’n five minutes.” 

This feeble attempt at wit had the effect of confusing 
the young people, and instead of enjoying the opportunity, 
as would have been the case under different circum- 
stances, they looked and felt embarrassed. 

Nina spoke of the intended journey to Silver City, of 
the desire to see her mother again, and such topics; but 
never a word of the dangers they had shared together, 
or the moments when the prospect of a speedy death 
brought them very near to each other. 

Dale said very little, but he kept his eyes fastened on 
his companion’s fair face until the blushes mantled the 
skin a rosy red. 

The not particularly satisfactory interview was inter- 
rupted by a call to supper, and Dale had no further op- 
portunity to speak in private with the girl who owed her 
life to him. 

On the following morning Barstow and two others set 
out for the mine, while the remainder of the party rode 
toward Silver City. 


A Bargain. 249 

When they arrived, Dale, who had not spent any of the 
contents of the buckskin bag presented by the miners, 
went with Eph to “The Palace” to board until such time 
as work could be begun at the Last Chance. 

The two were at once surrounded by a crowd of excited 
men, every one of whom had a question to ask, and, as 
each wanted to speak first, the tumult was great. 

Finally, by shouting until he was red in the face, Jake 
Myers succeeded in silencing the eager party, and then 
asked Dale in a solemn tone : 

“Is it true that the Greaser Espinosa has been killed?” 

“Yes.” 

“Was he the rascal who murdered your father?” 

“Yes.” 

“Did you have a hand in the game?” 

“Not exactly.” 

“Indeed he did,” Eph cried. “It was the boy who first 
caught the chap, an’ held him till we could come up. If 
it hadn’t been for Dale, neither Barstow nor I would have 
kept on the trail, an’ Morey’s girl would now be a pris- 
oner while Espinosa sneaked away with her to his ranch.” 

“How was the Greaser killed?” Myers asked, 

Eph told the story in all its details, the assembled 
throng listening with absorbing interest, and when the 
speaker concluded he and Dale were suddenly lifted to a 
table top by a dozen pairs of brawny arms, amid a series 
of deafening cheers that threatened to shake “The Palace” 
roof. 

When it was possible to make himself heard, Myers 
said to Dale : 


250 


A Bargain. 

“I want you an’ Eph to understand that anything in 
this house is yours as long as you care to stay. There’s 
nothin’ too good for a lad who’s shown that he’s got sand, 
an’ don’t you forget it.” 

It was several hours before the two could “break 
away” from their entertainers. 

The news of their arrival had spread through the city, 
and other miners were constantly arriving, each of whom 
insisted on hearing the story, until Eph actually grew 
tired of talking. 

When he could leave, Dale went to the shanty where he 
and his father had spent so many sad and happy hours. 

Everything was as on the day when he started on the 
Greaser’s trail, and the occupant said, when Dale 
came up : 

“I’m glad to see you back, my boy, an’ still more so to 
hear that you did what you started out for. I’ll be away 
from here as soon as I can get my traps together, an’ you 
shall have the place to yourself before sunset.” 

“But I don’t want it. I would like to think it was not 
to be torn down, and, if you care to live here, I’ll turn over 
all my title to the place.” 

“Ain’t you goin’ to stay in town ?” 

“Not very many days, although I suppose you’ll see 
me here often. We run across the vein father discovered, 
and are intending to work it.” 

“Put her there, my boy,” the miner cried in delight, as 
he extended his hand. “I am glad you’ve struck it rich. 
I allers allowed Owen Wrightman would come on the 
top of the heap some day, and he did, even if the benefit 


A Bargain. 


251 


was never reaped by him. The best part of the whole 
business is that the Greaser was wiped out in proper 
shape, though it would have suited me better if it hadn’t 
been done quite so quick.” 

It was late in the evening when Eph and Dale were at 
liberty to retire. 

Silver City was in a state of ferment over the news 
they brought, and the miners would have had them tell 
the story over and over again until morning, had not Jake 
Myers interfered, and insisted that they be allowed to rest. 

Not for two days did Dale see Nina, and then it was 
only for a few moments, as she passed on the street with 
her father. 

He could not muster sufficient courage to call upon her 
at the canvas dwelling where she was boarding, but spent 
all his spare time walking around that way in the hope of 
getting a glance of the one who seemed to belong to him 
because of the perils encountered in each other’s company. 

Five days elapsed before Barstow and his companions 
arrived. 

They had ascertained the exact location of the old 
mine, and within an hour after their coming Mr. Morey 
entered the claim in the names of the four partners. 

“There is no longer any reason why we should delay 
opening it,” he said to Dale. “I think Eph can take care 
of the preliminary work, and by the time he has cleared 
the tunnel we shall have the machinery already ordered.” 

“When are we to start for the spot?” Eph asked. 

“To-morrow morning, if you can get ready. Hire 
half-a-dozen men., and Barstow will attend to the outfit.” 


252 A Bargain. 

Eph and the stockman were eager to begin the task of 
taking out the precious metal, and to that end labored so 
energetically that the party was ready at daylight on the 
next morning. 

This haste caused Dale no little sorrow, for because of 
it he was forced to leave Silver City without seeing Nina 
again, which was to him a most grievous disappointment. 


CHAPTER XXXII. 


ONE YEAR LATER. 

Twelve months from the day when Dale, Barstow, and 
Eph left Silver City to reopen the Last Chance Mine, 
the spot where all three had skulked around trying to 
rescue Nina from Espinosa’s clutches would not have 
been recognized even by those most familiar with it. 

Around the mouth of the shaft into which the stock- 
man and his companion once fell were huge stamp mills, 
and further away, in what Dale had called “the open,” the 
place which he had not dared to cross lest a Greaser’s 
bullet should reach him, was a flourishing town, boasting 
of almost as many wooden buildings as could have been 
found at Silver City. 

The “thicket of bowlders” was also a scene of activity, 
for among the miniature canons had been discovered 
traces of precious metal, and the huge mills were crush- 
ing into powder the rocks which had once performed 
their part in the rescue of Nina, and the subsequent cap- 
ture of the Greaser chief. 

Immediately the Last Chance shaft was opened the 
miners flocked from every quarter, and many were the 
rich claims entered up before the town of Wrightman 
was fully established. 

It was said, and neither of the four partners ever con- 


254 


One Year Later. 


tradicted the statement that the vein rediscovered by 
Dale’s father was the richest in New Mexico; that more 
ore was taken out than from any other three mines in the 
vicinity. 

The town already boasted of two hotels, twenty or 
thirty boarding-houses, half-a-dozen stores, and saloons 
in such quantity as it is usual to see in similar settlements. 

Dale, or Wrightman, as the miners called him, looked 
a dozen years older than when we saw him last, and on 
this particular day he was arrayed in his best. 

The working clothes he ordinarily wore had been re- 
placed by tightly-fitting buckskin riding trousers, a Mexi- 
can jacket, and a sombrero profusely bedecked with silver 
tags, fringe, and buttons, and hipboots to which were at- 
tached large spurs made from the pure metal as taken 
from the Last Chance. 

The pony he rode was the best to be found within a 
radius of fifty miles, which is giving him quite a record, 
since there were many fine animals in the vicinity. 

He had just mounted in front of the frame dwelling 
where he kept bachelors’ hall with Barstow and Eph, 
when the latter came from one of the “crushers” near by, 
with a quizzical expression on his face as he said: 

“I reckon you’re countin’ on strikin’ across to Silver 
City, eh?” 

“Of course not. Have you forgotten that Mr. Morey 
promised to be here to-day ?” 

“That’s a fact; queer I let it go out of my mind. 
What a pity he didn’t agree to bring Miss Nina with him. 


One Year Later. 


255 

Neither you nor I have laid eyes on her since the day be- 
fore we started to open the Last Chance.” 

“You know very well he sent word that she was com- 
ing,” Dale replied, as a blush came over his bronzed face. 

“Then that accounts for the way you’re rigged up. It 
kinder struck me all of a heap when you turned out like 
a full-blown rose. I allow you’re reckonin’ to ride along 
the trail a bit ?” 

“What’s the use of poking fun at a fellow, Eph? You 
know how I feel, and I am going to settle matters before 
we come back, unless by some ill-chance I happen to miss 
the party.” 

“Now you’re showin’ sand ag’in, Dale,” Eph said in a 
hearty tone. “By the way you’ve been moonin’ round 
lately I was afraid it had all run out of your boots. Go 
in an’ win, my boy, for that’s what you’re bound to do if 
you stick at it the same as when we was close on old 
Espinosa’s heels.” 

Dale clasped his friend by the hand without speaking, 
and then, touching the pony with the spurs, rode off at 
full speed, followed by his partner’s cheery cry : 

“Good luck, my boy ! You’re bound to win !” 

And the look on Dale’s face told that he had won when 
he rode again into Wrightman by Nina’s side, both look- 
ing consciously happy, and, perhaps, just a trifle foolish. 

Mr. Morey had come to give his partners an account 
of the year’s business, for he it was who attended to the 
finances, and from his report it was learned that not only 
had the Last Chance made all four wealthy beyond every 
expectation, but would continue to earn money for them, 


256 


One Year Later. 


in case they accepted an offer made by a party of Eastern 
capitalists to purchase a controlling interest in the mine. 

It was decided to sell at the expiration of six months, 
and when that time rolled around those in whom we are 
interested retired from the business of mining. 

Barstow and Eph purchased Howland’s ranch, and 
went into cattle raising on a very large scale. They have 
prospered even better than their neighbors, but still con- 
tinue to live within the sound of the stamp mills at Last 
Chance, as the ponderous machinery grinds out money 
for them from the rocks over which they toiled in making 
the tunnel to escape from the shaft and the Greasers. 

To-day, for the incidents of this story happened a num- 
ber of years ago, Dale is living quietly on the Morey 
ranch with Nina as his wife, and many times, as they ride 
to and fro over the plain, does she speak of the time when 
they traveled over the same ground on the Mexicans’ 
trail from Last Chance Mine. 


The Boys’ Own Library 

Handsomely Bound in Cloth. Price, 75 cents per Volume 

This series contains the best boys’ books written by the best authors 
for boys. It is pre-eminently a library for young people. The stories are 
of the bright and sparkling kind, full of adventure and not overburdened 
with lengthy descriptions— in fact, just the sort that must appeal to ever* 
healthy boy who is fond of thrilling exploits and deeds of heroism. 

Adventures of a Telegraph Boy. Horatio Alger, Jr. 

Arthur Helmuth. Edward S. Ellis 

Battle and a Boy. Blanche Willis Howard 

Boy Boomers. Gilbert Patten 

Boy Cattle King. Gilbert Patten 

Boy From the West. Gilbert Patten 

Boys in the Forecastle. George H. Coomer 

Butcher of Cawnpore. Wm. Murray Graydon 

Cadet Kit Carey. Lieut. Lounsberry 

Captain Carey. Lieut. Lounsberry 

Centreboard Jim. Henry Harrison Lewis 

Chased Through Norway. James Otis 

Check Number 2134. Edward S. Ellis 

Commodore Junk. George Manville Fenn 

Cruise of the Snowbird. Gordon Stables 

Cryptogram. William Murray Graydon 

Catmur's Cave. F xhard Dowling 

Dean Dunham. Horatio Alger, Jr. 

Dick Chiverly. W. H. G. Kingston 
Dingo Boys. George Manville Fenn 
Don Kirk's Mine. Gilbert Patten 
Ensign Merrill. Henry Harrison Lewis 
Eric Dane. Matthew White, Jr. 

Erie Train Boy. Horatio Alger, Jr. 

Five Hundred Dollar Check. Horatio Alger , jr. 

From Canal Boy to President. Horatio Alger, Jr. 

From Farm Boy to Senator. Horatio Alger, Jr. 

From Lake to Wilderness. William Murray Graydon 
(c 2) Any volume sent, postpaid, upon receipt of price 
STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS, & NEW” YORK 


The Boys’ Own Library 

Handsomely Bound in Cloth. Price, 75 cents per volume 

From Powder Monkey to Admiral. W. H. G. Kingston 

From Tent to White House. Edward S. Ellis 

Gay Dashleigh’s Academy Days. Arthur Sewell 

Giant Islanders. Brooks McCormick 

Gold of Flat Top Mountain. Frank H. Converse 

Golden Magnet. George Manville Fenn 

Golden Rock. Edward S. Ellis 

Grand Chaco. George Manville Fenn 

Guy Hammersley. Matthew White, Jr. 

Happy-Go-Lucky Jack. Frank H. Converse 

Heir to a Million. Frank H. Converse 

How He Won. Brooks McCormick 

In Barracks and Wigwam. William Murray Gray don 

Inland Waterways. James Otis 

In Search of an Unknown Race. Frank H. Converse 

In Southern Seas. Frank H. Converse 

In the Sunk Lands. Walter F. Bruns 

James Braithwaite. W. H. G. Kingston 

Joe Nichols. Alfred Oldfellow 

Jud and Joe. Gilbert Patten 

Kit Carey's Protege. Lieut. Lounsberry. 

Land of Mystery. Edward S. Ellis 
Lieut. Carey’s Luck. Lieut. Lounsberry 
Mark Stanton. Horatio Alger, Jr. 

Midshipman MerrilL Henry Harrison Lewis 
My Mysterious Fortune. Matthew White, Jr. 

Mystery of a Diamond. Frank H. Converse 
Nature’s Young Noblemen. Brooks McCormick 
Ned Newton. Horatio Alger, Jr. 

New York Boy. Horatio Alger, Jr. 

(c a) 4 Any volume sent, postpaid, upon receipt of prict 
STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS, ^ NEW YORK 


The Boys' Own library 

Handsomely Beared In Dot*!. Prioe, 75 cents per 

Old Man of the Mountain, Geo. H. Coomer 
On the Trail of Geronimo. Edward S. Ellis 
Perils of the Jungle. Edward S. Ellis 
Peter the Whaler. W. H. G. Kingston 
Pirate Island. Harry Collingwood 
Rajah's Fortress. William Murray Graydon 
Rival Battalions. Brooks McCormick 
Silver Ship. Leon Lewis 
Spectre Gold. Headon Hill 
That Treasure. Frank H. Converse 
Tiger Prince. William Dalton 
Tom Tracy. Horatio Alger, Jr. 

Tour of a Private Car. Matthew White, Jr. 

Uncle Nat. Alfred Oldfellow 
Unprovoked Mutiny. James Otis 
Voyage to the Gold Coast. Frank H. Converse 
Walter Griffith. Horatio Alger, Jr. 

War Tiger. William Dalton 

Way to Success. Alfred Oldfellow 

Weathercock. George Manville Fenn 

Wheeling for Fortune. James Otis 

White Elephant. William Dalton 

White King of Africa. William Murray Graydon 

White Mustang. Edward S. Ellis 

With Boer and Britisher. William Murray Graydon 

Won at West Point. Lieut. Lounsberry 

Young Acrobat. Horatio Alger, Jr. 

Young Editor. Matthew White, Jr. 

Young Vagabond. Z. R. Bennett 

(e 4 ) Any volume sent, postpaid, upon receipt of prieo 
STREET & SMITH. PUBLISHERS, # j* NEW YORK 




“Canoe and Camp-Fire” 


By SI* GEORGE RATHBORNE 

In this, the first 
book in the series, 
the splendid set- 
ting of the story is in the woods of Maine. A grasping uncle 
waylays his nephew in the pine wilderness and endeavors to 
force him to part with his birthright. A sturdy chum comes 
to the rescue just in time, and joins hands in routing the thiev- 
ing relative. 

The boys 
who play 
their parts 


“Paddling Under Palmettos” 


in the second volume in this absorbing series, are manly, 
whole-hearted boys, knowing no fear, whether set upon at mid- 
night while bivouacked around the camp-fire, or plying their 
paddles in treacherous currents and menaced by unseen foes on 
shore. 

Is the title of 
the third book in 
the “Camp and 


“The Rival Canoe Boys” 


Canoe Series.” It is a story of mystery, ill-fortune, and perse- 
verance. Two manly boys, of the lake region, are face to face 
with an unscrupulous specimen of the dude type and a villain- 
ous guide, who is open for any crime, provided there are 
enough dollars back of it. 


In Cloth: $1.00 per Volume 


STREETS SMITH ‘"E&ZSr 


THE SIX BOOKS IN THIS SERIES ARE 
THE SORT THAT MUST APPEAL TO 
EVERY BOY WHO IS POND OP OUT - 
DOOR EXERCISE OF WHATEVER KIND 

The Rockspur Nine 

Is a base-ball tale of absorbing interest, which 
must be read not alone for its story — which 
is admirable — but also for its many hints on 
pitching, catching and batting, that will be 
found invaluable to the boy who wishes to 
shine in the base-ball world. 

The Rockspur Eleven 

Is, appropriately enough, a story of foot-ball; 
and it is impossible to conceive a yarn more 
fascinating to the healthy boy who feels at his 
best in his foot-ball rig. 

The Rockspur Rivals 

The scenes are those of winter, and most of 
the action takes place on the ice. Here, too, 
there is much useful information in a readable 
shape — this time about ice-boats, fancy skat- 
ing, sleds and skis, and ice hockey. 


Three other books will be added to the Series 
later on. Their titles are: “The Rockspur 
Athletes,” “The Rockspur Crew,” and “The 
Rockspur Champions.” 


ELEGANTLY BOUND IN CLOTH 
$ 1.00 PER VOLUME 


Street & Smith, 238 William St*, N* Y* 


Ranch and Ran;e Scries 

By St GEORGE RATH BORNE 


There are no more delightful characters in fiction than 
Karl, the young cowboy, and Cuthbert Lee, his tenderfoot 
“pard,” whose strange adventures are chronicled in the 
three volumes which comprise this series* 


In “ Sunset Ranch,” which is the first 
volume in the “ Ranch and Range Series,” 
Karl succeeds in saving from the clutches of a 
villainous gang, Cuthbert’s long-lost cousin, a 
laughing-eyed maid who has spent most of her 
life on the prairie. Fascinating in the extreme 
are the descriptions of Cowboy life as it was 
in its most famous days ; of the grand round-up, 
range-riding, night “ wrangling,” and Indian 
horse racing. 

The scene changes to a lone dug-out in the pine 
woods in the second book of the Series, which is 
called, ** Chums of the Prairie.” There 
is trouble for the two boys right along from the 
first chapter, whether it be facing death in a 
bear’s den, or brought to bay. by the gray ter- 
ror of the pine. 

Third in the “Ranch and Range Series” 
comes “The Young Range Riders,” in 
which Karl and Cuthbert invade the land of the 
Montezumas, and find fresh adventure on a 
Mexican ranch. 


IO ClOth, booksellers, $1.00 


per 

volume 


Street & Smith, 238 William St., N. Y. 


THE FRANKS 

MERRIWELL Interest 

SERIES 



T is not necessary to introduce the now famous 
Frank Merriwell to the American boy. His 
name, associated as it is with the most marvelous 
exploits and heroic deeds, has been known and 
loved for years by countless youths on the 
western continent. This is the first time that the Frank 
Merriwell stories have appeared in cloth. The demand for 
them in this form grew so clamorous that it was no longer 
possible to delay publication. The edition is a handsome 
one, well illustrated, type good and large, and the covers 
are exceptionally fine. 


Frank Merriwell # s School Days 

This is the title of the first book in the series, and surely never were 
schooldays so crowded with fun and incident as those of Frank Merriwell. 
Right in the beginning he risks his own life to save a girl in a battle royal 
with a mad dog. But, as well as heroism, there is true sport, as any boy 
will say who reads about the great baseball game in which Frank figures. 

Frank Merriweirs Chums 

In addition to the good fellows who make life pleasant for Frank Merriwell 
in the period covered by No. I of the series, we are here introduced to 
several others, who keep the ball rolling and distinguish themselves along- 
side their hero. 

Frank Merriweirs Foes 

Even the best of fellows cannot help making enemies while jealousy con- 
tinues to play its part in school life. Frank is all that is manly and candid, 
but there are enemies in camp, and he is frequently called upon to prove 
his mettle in this the third volume in the series. 

‘Sound in Cloth . One "Dollar. 

STREET & SMITH, 338 WILLIAM ST., NEW YORK 

























































A 9* 




HECKMAN 

BINDERY INC. 




* JAN 86 


N. MANCHESTER, 
INDIANA 46962 




C-' <S> ° if 

* 4 / ep>> o^1 

<L V * 


- 

o v \rvT * x V v\ » 

o *° • k* a */?v~s s , v 

4 ^ c 0 N 0 ♦ . 1 ' * 

° .V5$$W. V c° 



«/> > 4 

. ^ Cr 


4©* 


% *?«&?%' 4> C 

" A? 

Y *°- *> V 

% : 





* A %> °- 

. ■**. r-»~ “* ■CLY <i+ * 

•c. .&* 72 

<S>. 0^ • 1 " ■**- 

*p rv i 


* %> •$, 
\ •£ *\ 

A .^i: % \ 



* 

© 

2 
O 
O 

^ * 'f.? - 4 a ' ^ % 

o°V* ^ 

jV 0 < 


» W ;*a 
y s **> °y 

* CA < 




/ A 

^ * * ' ’ * Ay 


4 O. 

1 > y<* vi 


<£ V • 
4 \? ° 




.-**v & ^ \* 
'•• ** sO o 1 


* A Q. 

> 4/ 4<* « 


i° •»*. *. 




4 9a 

> yvV « 



■w - 

-^5^ a? *■ 

•% .0* t .‘Vj. *b, ,<?>■ i"'*, -<j> 

* *£>4 * *** -v * <5s^\\n^* ▼j 

• ^ ci* . - *o K 

o jO V*> 

O ’ * S 0 **% 4. ^ ASP. * 

\ v .. *2* * ° " 0 ° ^0 
V s* c\ .9^ 

* ,^. ,>», A 

y\ -jgiy y y *. 

, '° • * * O ''TV** o^ ^b, *o . * 

.•*’'•-* *0 <& v - 0 * O ,. <f> p-V u / * *£*_ 

1 - . ■> » r^CVv <* -• U < • ^ ^ O 



*_ * 




° 




o 

, ^ ,* <& 

c, 0 H ° + <£* Pv > * 1 I * A 

* ^ 0° — 4 ° 

■'•o’* ' 

; ^ y»§3»j &°« 

°o •\^%* ft 9 “* scarfs J? 

Vv ^ ° " 0 A 0 <5> • * 1 *Sy 

' ^c\ <Ct *<•<>,* ^ ,»••. 



* ^ * 

“. ^ 0* . 





00D20tiTfil7g 



